Injury blow for Celtic as Bangura tweaks knee

Celtic striker Mo Bangura has suffered a setback in his recovery from the latest episode of knee trouble to have interrupted his Parkhead career.

The Sierra Leone international was expected to be out for only a short spell after it emerged at the start of January he had suffered another injury, having already missed a chunk of the season.

But Celtic today reported that the 22-year-old, who has yet to score since his summer move from Swedish side AIK, is not recovering as well as was hoped.According to the club’s website, Bangura has “tweaked” his right knee once more, and a specialist will assess the injury next week.

Celtic also announced that defender Daniel Majstorovic is available for selection ahead of this weekend’s Scottish Communities League Cup semi-final against Falkirk at Hampden, having returned to training following the fractured cheekbone he suffered against St Johnstone last month. Defender Mikael Lustig and winger Paddy McCourt also return to training after their respective thigh and foot injuries.

Meanwhile, Celtic have denied a request from Malmo to give their fans tickets for a friendly in March because they want the match to be behind closed doors. The Champions League conquerors of Rangers will face the Parkhead side as part of their pre-season preparations for the new Swedish campaign.

Malmo were inundated by requests for tickets from their supporters who wanted to come to Scotland for the second time this season. However, Celtic are unwilling to play the game at Parkhead. And the Swedish side have been forced to issue a statement telling their fans not to travel because Celtic will play the game at their Lennoxtown training complex behind closed doors.