Celtic hoping McManus will play

Stephen McManus will be given every opportunity to take part in Celtic's Champions League game against Benfica tomorrow night.

The club captain was a major doubt for the Group D match in Lisbon after suffering a head injury during Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox.

McManus was knocked unconscious by the clash of heads with Rangers striker Daniel Cousin and left the pitch on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask before being taken to hospital.

But he gave Celtic a major boost by travelling with the rest of the team to Portugal yesterday morning and could yet be involved in the match after undertaking a solo training session today.

Manager Gordon Strachan said: "McManus trained but not with the group. We will see how the rest of the day goes and see if there is a reaction. We will leave it in the hands of Stephen and the doctors to see how he is."

Steven Pressley also travelled but will not be involved tomorrow night, while Bobo Balde could make his first appearance since Boxing Day 2006.

Also in contention is Paul Hartley, who was ruled out for up to three weeks with a hamstring injury sustained against Gretna in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Strachan added: "Hartley trained with the group, which is a nice bonus. He is an important member of the squad. We didn't want to rush him but we need to trust the player."