Petrov concern for Hoops
Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov faces a fight to be fit for the Bank of Scotland Premier League visit of Livingston on St Stephen's Day.
The Bulgaria international played through the pain barrier during the 1-1 draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Sunday after twisting his ankle early on in the game.
The 26-year-old will now receive extensive treatment throughout the week to ensure his fitness for the arrival of Paul Lambert’s team on December 26.
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said: “For the start of the second half, Stilian had a real problem, but, once the adrenalin started flowing again, he was all right.”
Striker Maciej Zurawski is also aiming to return for the St Stephen's Day game after missing the last two matches with a hamstring problem.
The Poland international is making progress but it is the Celtic defence which will have caused Strachan most concern.
Bobo Balde and Stephen McManus were given a torrid afternoon by the Inverness striking pair of player-manager Craig Brewster and goalscorer Craig Dargo at the Caledonian Stadium.
But, fortunately for the SPL leaders, Celtic had Artur Boruc in goal and goalscorer John Hartson believes the club have unearthed a gem with the former Legia Warsaw man.
The Welshman cancelled out Dargo’s 31-second opener but the Polish international saved the Inverness striker’s spot-kick.
Hartson said: “Artur has made some great saves and Inverness will probably feel a bit hard done by, because of the penalty and a free-kick from Brewster.
“That was a great free-kick and a superb save. The penalty was a good height, but Artur still went the right way. It was a great save.
“We have done really well to keep hold of him now and we need big players like him to win games.
“It is important that, when you are not playing well, you are not conceding.
“Teams can sometimes punish you, but, with our goalkeeper playing the way he is, we need that.”
Inverness goalkeeper Mark Brown also made some fine saves in an entertaining game.
Strachan added: “I know Artur is a fine goalkeeper but, having said that, their goalkeeper made a couple of good saves as well.
“The best save was when he got down low from John Hartson – that was by far the best save in the game.”
