Source: Team_Talk
Hartley return is a tonic for Gordon
The midfielder missed Celtic's victories over Hamilton and Falkirk, and Scotland's World Cup double header against Holland and Iceland, with a hamstring strain.[LNB]But he has declared himself fit to face his former club when Celtic take on Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday.[LNB]The 32-year-old's return is timely as Scott Brown's participation is doubtful after the central midfielder picked up a knock during Wednesday's 4-0 win over Falkirk.[LNB]Brown will definitely miss the first two games following the SPL split, after his booking against the Bairns sparked a suspension.[LNB]Hartley returned to the starting line-up at the same stage last season after Brown picked up a three-match ban and helped Celtic usurp Rangers to collect their third successive title.[LNB]Barry Robson has yet to return to training amid a groin problem and Shaun Maloney is not ready to play despite recovering from a long-term hamstring injury.[LNB]Strachan could also see Darren O'Dea and Stephen McManus join Georgios Samaras on the injury list after all three suffered injuries on Wednesday.[LNB]So he has welcomed Hartley's imminent comeback to the first team.[LNB]Strachan said: "He gives you professionalism, enthusiasm, will to win, no lack of ability.[LNB]"He's a person you can trust. If you look at all the big games we have played over the last few years, he has invariably been in the side."[LNB]The Celtic manager added: "We thought we were doing okay until we picked up a few injuries the other night.[LNB]"The good thing is we have a lot of people who are desperate to come in."[LNB]The strength in depth in the Celtic squad has been evident in recent weeks with 10 players scoring in their last five SPL games.[LNB]Samaras and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink ended long droughts, the Dutchman's stretching back to September.[LNB]So Strachan is more relaxed about his side's prospects of turning possession into goals.[LNB]"We have been scoring goals from different areas," Strachan said.[LNB]"Darren has scored a couple of goals since coming into the side.[LNB]"We are happy with the variation. At the moment, if we get a couple of chances, we are liable to take them."[LNB]Celtic have won three of their six visits to Tynecastle under Strachan but the Parkhead manager does not feel the trip to Gorgie is as turbulent as his early days.[LNB]"They are not as hectic as they were when I first got here," he said.[LNB]"I thought the George Burley side was an excellent side, good strength, good pace, good determination. That was hard work.[LNB]"This Hearts side give you problems in a different way. It's a different type of game than it was four years ago but it's still a huge problem to overcome."[LNB][LNB]
