Defensive duo in fitness race

Celtic defensive duo Bobo Balde and Joos Valgaeren will be hoping to prove in training today that they are fit to face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday tomorrow.

They missed the weekend win at Hearts through knee and hamstring injuries respectively but joined the rest of the party in flying to the Ukraine yesterday morning.

Manager Martin O’Neill admitted he might have to play Chris Sutton at the back due to defensive injury problems.

But the club have been given a boost ahead of the vital Group F game against Shakhtar with the pair being fit enough to travel with the rest of the squad.

Both players missed the 3-0 win at the weekend and were rated doubtful for the vital European match.

Stanislav Varga and Jackie McNamara were the only other fit defenders but Balde and Valgaeren will be given every chance to be fit for the tie as Celtic go in search of a much needed win to keep their Champions League hopes alive.