Petrov fights to be fit for Vigo mission

Celtic's Stilian Petrov is winning his fitness battle to face Celta Vigo in tonight's Uefa Cup third-round first leg-match at Parkhead. The Bulgarian international's hopes of facing the Spanish side have been in the balance since he had 15 stitches put in a facial wound on Sunday.

However, the news from Glasgow was more encouraging. "Stilian trained this morning and he is feeling better by the day," the Celtic manager, Martin O'Neill, said. "He is still pretty sore-looking, but he is up for it and he wants to play." Petrov's determination to play is a huge relief for O'Neill, who looks set to be without Alan Thompson. The midfielder suffered a thigh strain in the weekend win at Livingston and is rated doubtful.

The Celtic manager's biggest decision tonight, however, is whether to bring John Hartson back into attack and move Chris Sutton back into midfield. The Welshman is on song and Sutton's role in the middle at Ewood Park was crucial in beating Blackburn Rovers in the last round.

O'Neill feels under no extra pressure despite the fact that Celtic have failed to beat Spanish opposition after seven opportunities and that the club have not been in Europe past Christmas in 23 years. "It's going to be exceptionally difficult because they are going very well in what many would say is the best league in the world," he said. "Playing Valencia last year gave us a massive lift even though we eventually went out on penalties and we will need to play as well as we did then to go through.

"We are now back to the old European format of away goals and they have a big bearing on the proceedings. If we don't concede, then we will give ourselves a chance. A goalless draw wouldn't be a disaster because we are capable of scoring there."