Petrov to play on despite broken hand

Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov has broken his hand but will be available for the UEFA Cup final on Wednesday.

The Bulgarian, who suffered the same injury earlier this season, will wear a protective brace for game against Porto in Seville on Wednesday.

Petrov will need to be given the all-clear by match officials but wore a light cast for the game against Blackburn in an earlier round.

The 23-year-old injured his hand in the win at Motherwell last week but admits he is relieved he will be able to play in the club’s first European final since 1970.

Petrov told the Evening Times: “I suffered a break in a bone in my right hand at Motherwell last week.

“It is a different injury from the one I suffered against Dunfermline earlier in the season. This time it didn’t happen in a fall. I just hit an opponent’s hand, and that was it.

“Straight away I knew I had done something and I spoke to the doctor immediately after the game.

“He sent me for a scan. It was a relief to be told the hand would be okay and that I could continue to play.

“It’s not too bad, and I have already managed to play in two games wearing the protective support.”