Double boost for Celtic

Celtic have emerged from a miserable few days with some good news as they look to pick themselves up from their Old Firm defeat.

Manager Martin O’Neill now expects both skipper Jackie McNamara and defensive lynchpin Bobo Balde to take on Clyde at Broadwood in the Tennent’s Scottish Cup this Sunday after recent concerns over their fitness.

French-born Balde came through the 2-0 defeat to Rangers unscathed after passing a late fitness test on an ankle injury, while versatile Scotland international McNamara was worryingly taken off during the second half with a dead leg.

But O’Neill said: “Jackie’s taken a sore one in the Rangers game and been left with a dead leg.

“But the medical people are hopeful of him being fit for the Clyde game and that’s obviously good news for us.

“Bobo also came through the game without any reaction after passing a fitness test beforehand so we’re hopeful of having them both in the squad for going to Broadwood.”

The Scottish Football Association confirmed today that they would be writing to Celtic for their view of the incident in Sunday’s Old Firm game which saw Fernando Ricksen hit by an object thrown from the crowd.

The Dutch midfielder needed a stitch in a cut just above his eye after Rangers’ 2-0 victory and Celtic have urged their own fans to report the culprits who aimed missiles at Ricksen as he prepared to take a corner late in the game.

Strathclyde Police are studying CCTV to identify the offenders, but the SFA are not planning to discuss the matter formally until the March 15 meeting of their disciplinary committee which will review Celtic’s comments.

Drew Herbertson, head of discipline and referees, said: “The referee’s report has been received and we will be writing to Celtic Football Club to make their comments regarding the incident in question.

“That then goes to the disciplinary committee, who will be getting together on March 15.”

Celtic have also been dealing with speculation surrounding goalkeeper Robert Douglas.

Leicester manager Craig Levein has remained tight-lipped on reports linking him with Douglas.

The Scotland number one was inconsolable after his mistake set up Rangers’ Old Firm win at Parkhead on Sunday to give the visitors the initiative in the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

It was the latest in a string of costly blunders by Hoops goalkeepers in big matches and Douglas is now expected to lose his place to talented teenager David Marshall, despite Martin O’Neill’s vote of confidence.

But it has been suggested that the former Hearts boss, who has been a long-term admirer of the former Dundee favourite, is ready to offer Douglas an escape route this summer.

The 32-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to be offered a new deal.

Levein would not confirm claims that he has already opened talks with the goalkeeper’s agent Blair Morgan about taking him to England.

The Leicester boss, whose Championship team have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals, said: “I know about what’s being said but I wouldn’t have anything to say about that at all.”