Maloney and Hartley Return to Training; Massimo makes a mess in his diaper

By: Matt | April 7th, 2009

Shaun Maloney and Paul Hartley have returned to training with the first team after various injuries hampered them. Maloney has been hampered by two hamstring issues since returning to Celtic in August. Maloney has been rehabbing the injuries and is finally ready to return to first team training. However, Gordon Strachan is not ready to set a time table for Maloney’s return to the pitch with the first team. Paul Hartley could be ready to feature Wednesday’s match against Falkirk. The Good Pirate Hartley also had a hamstring problem that kept him out Scotland’s World Cup Qualifier’s against Holland and Iceland (and subsequent booze ups).

It seems Massimo Donati has not learned that going through the press is no way to endear yourself to gaffer Gordon Strachan. Donati has said he might have no alternative but to quit the club if he does not find himself in the first team more. Millions of Celtic fans have responded by saying, “Really? Ya really will leave? Let me pack your bags…” Donati says of the situation, “Since I had the argument with the manager, I am not being considered, so things are not going well. I will have to stay for another month and a half until the championship is finished. We will see what happens in the summer.”

Scott McDonald has been chosen as the SPL Player of the Month for March. McDonald is the third Celtic player to win the award this season. The Australian scored in both Celtic’s SPL outings, the 2-1 win at Kilmarnock and the 2-2 draw at Dundee United, claiming three of the club’s four goals during March. McDonald was also in the Celtic side that beat Rangers 2-0 after extra time to lift the League Cup at Hampden.

Finally, the Bhoys take on relegation bound Falkirk Wednesday. Celtic will look to keep their lead in the SPL against the side that played a competitive match against Rangers on the weekend. Celtic’s title rivals were only able to put a lone goal against the Bairns, as they fight for their SPL lives. I’d expect a similar squad to one seen this weekend for Celtic, with no injuries picked up this past weekend. Paul Hartley might find his way into the squad, but other than that hopefully the squad and the performance match the one seen on Saturday.

TAL