Hammer blow for Hartson
Tuesday, March 2, 2004
Article summary
Celtic FC forward John Hartson needs back surgery and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Article body
UEFA Cup date
The Scottish Premier League leaders, who face FK Teplice in a UEFA Cup third round second-leg tie in the Czech Republic tomorrow, announced today on their website that scans have revealed "a deterioration in one of the Welshman's lumbar discs". A similar injury forced the 28-year-old to miss last season's UEFA Cup final against FC Porto.
Rehabilitation programme
The operation is a highly serious one and is due to be performed on Saturday. Hartson will then spend four months on a specially designed rehabilitation programme with the intention of being fit for the start of next season.
Medical opinion
"While reluctant to quantify the likely long-term impact on his career, the club's medical staff are hopeful that Hartson will bounce back," continued the statement on the club's website.
Scoring record
Hartson played for Luton Town FC, Arsenal FC and West Ham United FC among other clubs before joining Celtic in 2001 from Coventry City FC. He has scored 46 goals in 73 games in Scotland and won 40 caps for Wales.