Celtic: Neil Lennon raises Matthews San Siro hopes

Neil Lennon suffered an injury scare at Tynecastle yesterday when Adam Matthews collapsed after a tackle by Kevin McHattie, the full-back-cum-midfielder hobbling off nursing his ankle.

Adam Matthews: Injury scare. Picture: PA

The Celtic manager said last night, though, that Matthews is recovering well and should be available for the Champions League opener at the San Siro on Wednesday night.

James Forrest, another injury concern, will “hopefully make the trip” to Milan, said Lennon. Forrest, scorer of the goal that took Celtic into the group stages of the Champions League, has been suffering from a sciatic nerve problem and missed yesterday’s 3-1 victory at Tynecastle. On Friday, Lennon said that his winger probably should not have played for Scotland against Belgium last weekend. “We need a fit Jamesie,” said Lennon. “I’m hopeful that he’ll be OK for the game in Milan.”

Lennon confirmed that Nir Biton, his newly-signed Israeli international, will also travel with the squad.