Douglas to miss Scottish Cup final

Celtic goalkeeper Rob Douglas will miss the Tennent’s Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline after undergoing surgery today.

The Scotland international has been struggling with a thigh injury which was causing him considerable pain.

The operation will remove some calcification in Douglas’ muscle and the ‘keeper is expected to be fit for the pre-season trip to North America in July.

David Marshall has taken over in goal since his heroics in the UEFA Cup in the Nou Camp Stadium in March and is expected to line up against the Pars at Hampden Park.

But Hoops’ striker John Hartson has returned to first team training for the first time since January.

The Wales international had surgery on a back problem earlier this year.

Defender John Kennedy will undergo a second operation on his cruciate ligament injury in July but is currently following a light rehabilitation programme back in Glasgow.

Forward Shaun Maloney is making steady progress as he recuperates from cruciate damage and will have another check-up with Colorado surgeon, Dr Richard Steadman, when the team travel to the US in the summer.