Kayal aims for Cup final return

Beram Kayal has targeted a return to action for the William Hill Scottish Cup final.

The Celtic midfielder has been out of action since the 1-0 win over Rangers at Parkhead on December 28.

His season was thought to be over when the Hoops revealed in January that Kayal would be sidelined for four months following ankle surgery.

However, the player believes he could make his comeback in the final at Hampden on May 19 if Celtic overcome Hearts in this weekend’s last-four clash.

He was quoted in the Scottish Daily Mail saying: “I can’t wait for the moment that I get the chance to warm up and run back onto the pitch.

“It will take away a lot of the bitter taste of recent months to take part in the Scottish Cup final when Celtic get there.”

Kayal revealed how he initially struggled to cope with the injury, adding: “I understand that football players go through these moments but I’d reached a point where I was fed up – I couldn’t be bothered getting up in the morning.

“But slowly, the players, the fans and my fiancee helped me recover.”