Hartley ankle injury adds to Celtic worries

Published on Thursday 20 November 2008 12:17

Paul Hartley has added to Celtic's injury concerns after suffering an ankle injury during Scotland's 1-0 defeat by Argentina.

The midfielder came off in the 59th minute of the Hampden friendly and admits he could be in danger of missing the crucial Champions League clash at Aalborg on Tuesday.

Team-mate Barry Robson had already pulled out of the international with a tight groin.

Fellow Celtic midfielders Marc Crosas and Aiden McGeady have also been missing in recent weeks and Hartley has stepped in, scoring in their last two games.

But he may have to sit out Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash against St Mirren.

Hartley said: "I came off after 60 minutes with a knock and I'll need to see the medical staff at Celtic before I know if I'll be fit for the weekend.

"I've taken a kick on my ankle, it's swollen up and it's stiff just now.

"It's obviously not what my club manager wants to hear. We have a fair amount of injuries already and Barry Robson has been injured too.

"I just hope I'll be okay for Saturday and I'll see how it goes over the next 48 hours.

"If I can, I would rather play both against St Mirren and Aalborg, but we'll need to see what happens."