Old Firm doubts for strike pair

Vennegoor of Hesselink suffered his injury against Falkirk on Saturday

Celtic could be without their two first-choice strikers for the opening Old Firm derby of the season.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is rated 50-50 for Sunday's visit by Rangers after needing stitches in a deep leg gash during Celtic's win over Falkirk.

Scott McDonald missed that 3-0 win with a groin tear and could be doubtful for the start of Celtic's Champions League campaign next month.

The Australian's injury has proved worse than first thought.

McDonald had picked up the injury while on international duty last week.

Vennegoor of Hesselink lasted just 28 minutes of Saturday's 3-0 win before being stretched off after a clash with Lee Bullen.

What I can say is that I don't think we want to play Benfica or Milan again Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura

The victory at Celtic Park lifted champions Celtic above Rangers on goal difference at the top of the Scottish Premier League .

But they may go into the derby against their city rivals without the strikers who combined to net 51 goals for Celtic last term.

Georgios Samaras and new signing Shaun Maloney proved an effective partnership for almost an hour against Falkirk and are poised to continue against Rangers on Sunday.

Archive action: Celtic strike force Vennegoor of Hesselink and Scott McDonald

There was better news on defender Gary Caldwell, who picked up the problem in the 1-1 draw at Dundee United 10 days' ago but is on track to return against Rangers after missing out against Falkirk.

Meanwhile, Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura has refused to divulge who he wants to face in the group stages of the Champions League, but he knows who he wants to avoid.

The Japan international is eagerly anticipating Thursday's draw, when the Scottish champions will discover this season's opponents.

Nakamura has already faced AC Milan, Benfica, Manchester United, FC Copenhagen, Shakhtar Donetsk and Barcelona on the European stage.

"We seem to play Milan and Benfica ever year," he said.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to Celtic's striker problems and the Old Firm derby

"To be honest, I don't really want to say which teams I want to draw. In the past, I said I wanted to play Milan and it happened.

"I also said I'd like to draw Barcelona and it happened. If I say this time, maybe it won't happen!

"What I can say is that I don't think we want to play Benfica or Milan again. All I want to do is play against some of the best clubs in the tournament."

Lyon, Arsenal, Liverpool and Real Madrid are potential opponents this time around.

"I watch those teams a lot, especially the Premier League sides, so maybe that would be good," Nakamura told Celtic View.

"Let's wait and see what happens on Thursday."