CELTIC centre half Gary Caldwell has picked up a leg injury - after colliding with his own team-mate Bobo Balde in the 2-1 win over Motherwell.

The knock to Caldwell is sure to be a concern to Hoops boss Gordon Strachan ahead of the crucial SPL match with Hibs at Parkhead this weekend.

Strachan is already without skipper Stephen McManus who limped off in the 3-2 win over Rangers last month and missed the game at Fir Park.

And Caldwell has been outstanding for the league leaders in a winning run which has seen them move into contention for the Scottish title.

And the player himself feels, after watching Rangers draw 0-0 with his former club Hibs at Easter Road yesterday, that Celtic have a good chance.

He said: "We know two final wins won't guarantee us victory because Rangers can still get ahead of us, but we will certainly try to do it and see where it takes us.

"We said about three or four weeks ago that we had to win every game, including the Rangers ones, and we have done that up until now. Hopefully, we can get two more."

Meanwhile, Caldwell has urged gaffer Strachan to make match-winner Georgios Samaras's move to Scotland a permanent one in the summer.

Samaras, who headed home a 79th minute winner, is on loan from Manchester City until the end of the season.

Caldwell said: "He has been great since he came in. He has got great feet for a big guy and causes defenders problems by getting into areas they don't want him to go.

"His goals coming off the bench have also been all-important. I would love him to be here next season. He is a good member of the squad and gives us a lot of competition for places up front."