Celtic keeper goes under the knife

Celtic goalkeeper Robert Douglas will attempt to cure a long-standing thigh injury with an operation during the summer.

The Scotland number one has been feeling pain during and after matches and after seeking advice from an English-based consultant he has agreed to go under the knife.

But Douglas still hopes to play in the Tennent’s Scottish Cup final as the surgery will not go ahead until days after the end-of-season clash with Dunfermline at Hampden Park.

Manager Martin O’Neill has already ruled Wales striker John Hartson out of a dramatic return for the May 22 showdown despite making a speedy recovery from a back operation.

He has been told to set his sights on returning for the start of pre-season training along with Ulrik Laursen, who is progressing steadily after a shoulder problem.

But O’Neill’s injury list is clearing up ahead of the short trip across town to the national stadium.

Stilian Petrov, Jackie McNamara and Joos Valgaeren are back in training after missing the league defeat against Dunfermline, and Bobo Balde and Didier Agathe could also come into contention for Saturday’s final Old Firm game of the season at Parkhead.

John Kennedy and Shaun Maloney will not play again for some time but the latter hopes to travel to America with the rest of the first-team squad for their pre-season tour.