Crosas set to finalise move to Russian top-flight club Volga

Marc Crosas is set to complete a move from Celtic to newly-promoted top-flight Russian side FC Volga.

The former Barcelona midfielder has left for Russia and his transfer is just awaiting the final paperwork.

The 23-year-old signed for Celtic in 2008 and made 52 appearances, with his one goal a spectacular long-range effort in a 7-0 victory over St Mirren at Parkhead.

Crosas found himself out of favour this season under Neil Lennon and admitted he had to move for the sake of his career. The Catalan player revealed his dilemma in a letter to Celtic fans, which was published on the club's official website.

He wrote: "Everything here at Celtic is fantastic, but another club is calling me with the possibility to have the minutes that I need.

"My job is to play football, and as much as I love this club, I need to play."

He added: "Being a part of the Celtic family has been great and Celtic will always remain in my heart.

"After my time here I have came to understand why the Celtic supporters are well known all around the world and why this club is so special.

"There will always be a big space for all my fantastic memories here, the good moments when I was playing and even the bad ones. Marc Crosas is moving to another place, but a big part of his heart will remain here."

Beram Kayal is one of the players keeping Crosas out of Lennon's starting XI and the in-form central midfielder will be Celtic's match-winner tomorrow lunchtime according to his countryman Eyal Berkovic.

Berkovic, a former Celtic player who cost the Glasgow club 5.75 million in 1999, will be co-commentating on the game in his native Israel and he believes that Kayal can achieve what he never managed by winning in an Old Firm showdown.

"I am looking forward to watching Beram in this derby," said Berkovic, a John Barnes signing. "I am sure he has all the qualities to influence the game.

"I played in these games. This is a match with an electric atmosphere. I would say it is the most tense game in Europe in terms of hatred between the teams.

"I think it will be a close game, but I believe Celtic can win it with the help of Beram. He has been playing really well since coming back from his injury and I think what he does in this game will be vital."

Scott Brown was arguably the Celtic midfielder who carried most influence the last time the Old Firm rivals met, and the Parkhead captain has been voted the Scottish Cup fifth-round Player of the Round for his performance in the 2-2 draw against Rangers.

Brown, who had a memorable tussle with El Hadji Diouf at Ibrox in the match earlier this month and scored Celtic's second equaliser with a curling effort from outside the box, polled 38 per cent of the votes cast for the award.

Strathclyde Police, meanwhile, have taken the opportunity ahead of this weekend's clash to warn supporters of both clubs not to take smoke bombs or flares into Celtic Park.

Chief superintendent Wayne Mawson, the match commander, released a statement which said: "In recent weeks, there has been an increase in the number of flares and smoke bombs being set off at football matches.

"They represent a significant risk to the safety of those attending the match which is why the law regarding them clearly states that possession of these articles while trying to enter or within the stadium is an offence.

"On Sunday, we will have specially trained police dogs at Celtic Park. Anyone found in possession of a flare or a smoke bomb will be arrested.

"My message is absolutely clear - There is no place for smoke bombs or flares at stadiums and football matches"

P W D L F A Pts

Celtic 25 19 4 2 56 15 61

Rangers 23 18 2 3 53 20 56

Hearts 25 16 3 6 39 21 51

Kilmarnock 25 10 6 9 38 28 36

Motherwell 25 9 4 12 28 34 31

Inverness CT 25 7 9 9 34 33 30

Dundee Utd 21 7 8 6 26 28 29

St Johnstone 23 8 5 10 17 27 29

Aberdeen 24 7 2 15 24 44 23

Hibernian 25 6 4 15 25 43 22

St Mirren 24 4 7 13 21 41 19

Hamilton 23 2 8 13 14 41 14