MALONEY EXPECTS TO BE ON BENCH AGAIN

Celtic Youngster Shaun Maloney fully expects to back on the subs bench again on Sunday when Celtic travel to meet Rangers. The talented youngster, who enjoyed a very rare full ninety starting place on Saturday against Aberdeen, is realistic about being able to hold down a first team spot come Sunday:

'I think our injured players should be getting better at the start of the week and, hopefully, be all right for the Rangers game.

'If not, hopefully, the manager's got enough confidence in me but, really, I can't think that far ahead. We'll just have to wait and see how our injuries are.'

It would be a major boost to the youngster's confidence were he to be in the starting line up at noon on Sunday but it looks likely that Martin O'Neill will recall several players who have been out injured recently.