Hedman on Road Back

Magnus Hedman has returned to the training ground after a two-month absence in which he struggled with knee ligament damage.

The Swedish keeper limped out of training on February 19th amid fears that his season could be over, but Hedman has revealed that he is on the brink of full fitness and, should he be asked to play against Dunfermline on Saturday afternoon, he could be ready.

"I don't really want to put a time-frame on my return, but if everything goes well over the next few days then I could be fit for the weekend," he said.

"I would be fit, but maybe not match fit or without as many training sessions as I would like, but I would play if I was asked.

"If training goes as well as I want it to go then I'll definitely be able to rumble again soon. I certainly want to play some games before now and the end of the season.

"Everything is looking ahead for me now and after missing out on so many big games, I'm looking forward to being involved over the next couple of weeks. My knee feels strong now and all I need to do is keep working away.

"Things went well this morning. I've been working hard on the knee for quite a long time now and it feels good. I did some trianing today, it wasn't a full session with the rest of the players but hopefully that will come over the next few days."

Hedman's last outing was against Livingston on the 9th February, and it has been a season of utter frustration for the Swedish internationalist.

The stopper watched in sympathy as Rab Douglas, whose season has also been interupted by injury this campaign, was forced out of the Old Firm match after just 9 minutes.

However, Hedman has praised the contribution of Javier Sanchez Broto who made only his fourth Hoops appearance on Sunday afternoon.

"I had a bit of sympathy for Rab after having to come off so early, but that's just football," said Hedman.

"I thought we defended very well throughout the whole game. Javier didn't have all that much to do because everyone in front of him was working so hard, but what he was asked to do he did very well.

"I was happy for him because it's never easy to go on when the game has already started but he did very well.