Crosas should be fit for derby

Celtic hope Marc Crosas will be fit for this weekend’s Old Firm derby, after the midfielder limped out of the Homecoming Scottish Cup win over Queen’s Park.

Spaniard Crosas lasted just 42 minutes of Saturday’s 2-1 win, which set up a quarter-final tie at either St Mirren or Motherwell.

The 21-year-old has endured an injury-hit start to life in Scotland, after joining from Barcelona in the summer, and will be determined to face Rangers on Sunday in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League – having missed the first two derbies of the season.

He has a leg injury, but the swelling over the affected area has reduced.

First-team coach Neil Lennon told Celtic TV: “He got a sore one on the side of the fibula – but it has started to settle down.

“He should be okay. At the minute, we don’t think it needs an x-ray – but it is very sore.”

Scott Brown and captain Stephen McManus are also set to return, after being rested against Queen’s Park.

“Brown needed a break, and it was an opportunity to give him that,” said Lennon.

“He has played an awful lot of football this season – and Stephen had a problem with his knee.

“He was keen to play, but on the day of the game we decided not to take any chances on him. Both will be okay for the weekend.”

Saturday’s match saw Shaun Maloney make his comeback from an injury lay-off of almost two months.

Lennon said: “Shaun had eight weeks out with a hamstring injury.

“We know what we’re going to get with Shaun and we’re delighted to have him back. It was just a question of getting him a wee run.

“He came through it okay and should be in contention for a place on Sunday now.”

Lennon accepts Saturday’s stuttering performance was not ideal.

“There was no real tempo to our play, and the lack of quality in the final third was missing,” he said.

“It is hard to put your finger on why – because it was the perfect game for them before a big Old Firm game. I hope they’ll have got the bad points out of the way in time.

“It was a disappointing performance. But we are in the next round of the cup, which is the most important thing.

Lennon insists Paddy McCourt will be a success at Celtic – if he can keep himself free from injury.

Saturday saw the summer signing from Derry City make only his third appearance for the Hoops, and he is still yet to start a game.

“I think he’ll be involved if we can keep him fit,” Lennon predicts.

“He has been fantastic in training and the reserve games.”