Barry Robson aims for Old Firm comeback

Published on Wednesday 15 April 2009 17:09

BARRY Robson aims to return from injury to aid Celtic's title push – and has not ruled out an Old Firm comeback.

The midfielder underwent groin surgery in early February and suffered a setback in his rehabilitation.

Robson now hopes to make the first tentative steps back to training in the coming days.

"I'm still trying to get fit," the former Dundee United captain said.

"I had a wee setback after my operation, I think I maybe tore a wee bit of my abductor again. That was three weeks' rest and another injection.

"I'm hoping that, within the next week, I can start light training again, so I can get back for some games until the end of the season."

The Scottish Premier League yesterday scheduled the Old Firm derby for May 9 but Robson is still awaiting the go-ahead from the medical team before assessing his chances of making the Ibrox clash.

"I really don't know," the 30-year-old said. "I've got to see a specialist again at some point.

"Fingers crossed, I can push on for that. It all depends on how it reacts and what treatment I get over the next few weeks."

Robson added: "It's an injury I had for about four or five months. It just got to the stage where I couldn't go on any more, I had to get something fixed.

"I got that done and I never came back as quickly as I was supposed to.

"It has been hard but I think the boys have playing well anyway, we are still top of the league.

"But I would rather be back trying to help the boys win the league."

Robson admits he has found it difficult to watch his team-mates in action while being unable to join in.

"It's terrible, horrible," he said. "The first three weeks I was injured, I went to them all, home and away.

"But I stayed away for a couple of weeks. I found it hard going to watch the boys. I watched it on the telly.

"They are doing well, but you just miss being in there rumbling it up a wee bit. Getting involved in the thick of the action is what I miss. But hopefully I'll be back soon."

Robson, who was promoting the club's May 17 player of the year dinner, was a key component in Celtic's successful title push last season.

Gordon Strachan restored him to the starting line-up after successive defeats by Rangers and Motherwell left them seven points adrift.

The Scotland international stayed there for the rest of the season as Celtic won their final seven games.

And he would relish the opportunity to play some part in the final straight as Celtic chase a fourth successive title.

"When the pressure is on, that's the bits I enjoy," Robson said. "I'm hoping to be back for a couple of games.

"Whether that happens or not, I don't know, but I'm positive."

Robson is also positive about Celtic's title chances, believing their strength of character during last season's climax will serve them well again.

"There's a lot of pressure but the boys know how to handle that," he said.

"That's one thing we have got in our favour here – we know what it takes because last year we had to go seven games unbeaten.

"We knew we had to win every game. We have still got the same personnel to do that, so it's something we are comfortable with. We know what is needed."