Lambert facing injury woe
Celtic and Scotland captain Paul Lambert is today coming to terms with the shattering news that he could be facing six weeks on the sidelines and potentially the end of his international career.
The influential midfielder aggravated an ankle injury in the Euro 2004 qualifying defeat to Germany in midweek and was ruled out of today’s Bank of Scotland Premier League game at Dundee.
But an MRI scan has confirmed he will definitely miss Celtic’s opening Champions League match against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Lambert could also be sidelined for the first Old Firm clash of the season at Ibrox on October 4 and other big European nights against Lyon on September 30 and Anderlecht on October 21.
The scan did not show any fracture but what it did reveal was extensive bone bruising.
Specialists have advised the 34-year-old he will require four to six weeks on the sidelines before he can start pushing for a return to full fitness.
It means he will also sit out of the final European Championships qualifier against Lithuania at Hampden Park on October 11.
Lambert has made it clear he is prepared to play on for Berti Vogts – but only for as long as the Scots are in contention for next year’s finals in Portugal and failure to beat the Baltic state will confirm his decision to quit.
He missed the win against the Faroe Islands and he will be desperately disappointed at missing the Hoops’ game against Bayern Munich and the chance to come up against his former mentor at Borussia Dortmund, current Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.
It is a massive blow to Celtic manager Martin O’Neill, who already has injury headaches to deal with.
Ulrik Laursen, Joos Valgaeren, Johan Mjallby and Steve Guppy are all currently on the treatment table and Lambert’s loss is a significant problem for the Celtic manager.
Meanwhile, a Portuguese striker was sent packing by the Old Firm after appearing out of the blue for a trial.
Guinea-born Issufo Sombilijalo arrived in Glasgow and headed for Parkhead but he was promptly given no joy at the club.
A Celtic spokesman said: “He turned up here and said that he was getting a trial but despite our best efforts no one had heard of him.
“He then asked for a taxi to take him back to the city centre.”
The 22-year-old then tried his luck at Rangers’ Murray Park only to receive the same response.
An Ibrox spokesperson said: “Rangers FC has not given this person a trial and has no intention of giving him a trial.”
