Hedman On The Brink

Magnus Hedman returned to full training this morning after almost 12 weeks on the sidelines with a calf strain.

The Swedish internationalist is desperate to show the Hoops fans the form that prompted Martin O・Neill to prise him from Coventry this summer and is aiming to be challenging Rab Douglas for the number one spot over the next few weeks.

Said Hedman: "It was my first day in almost three months being back at training today which is a long time to be out. It was great to be back with the rest of the squad and with the ball instead of working in the gym.

"So far I feel fine, but it・s things like my sharpness and positioning that I need to work on now. I・m still a little cautious because I irritated the injury a couple of times.

"Fitness wise I have no problems whatsoever, in fact I・m probably fitter now than what I was when I first arrived at the club, but it・s my goalkeeping job that I need to work on now.

"I・ll maybe play a few under-21 games but we have to wait and see what happens and make sure there・s no reaction."

Hedman・s last outing for the Hoops was the beginning of September when he played in the 2-0 win over Livingston at Celtic Park, and he is eagerly anticipating performing in front of 60,000 again.

"I am getting excited again," he smiled. "The old Magnus is coming back after being stuck in the gym and because I・ve only played two competitive games here I still feel as though I have something to go out and prove.

"The club paid money to bring me here and I want to go out and play me part this season and in the future.

"I need to get back to the level of sharpness I had before I was injured and then I can start thinking about challenging for a starting place."

O・Neill is delighted that two of his long-term injuries are on the cusp of returning to the first-team squad, with Johan Mjallby set to play in tonight・s under-21 Old Firm match at New Broomfield.

Said the Irishman: "Magnus was struck down by an injury when he had only been at the club for a short time and we・ve still to get the chance to really get to see him properly.

"It would be a great boost if both he and Johan [Mjallby] were back at the same time and we・ll see how things progress this week.

"Johan will play again tonight and it・s encouraging to see him on his way back. Hopefully the injury is well behind him and he can look forward to the second half of the season."

Meanwhile, O・Neill had no fresh injury worries emerging from Saturday・s Old Firm match, while Bobby Petta and Tom Boyd have returned to training following slight calf strains.