Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura insisted on Friday he will be fit to face Scottish Premier League rivals Rangers this weekend.

The Japan international had to hobble out of training earlier this week with an ankle problem.

The club’s medical staff have assessed the problem and Nakamura is set to line up against Rangers in Sunday’s crunch Premier League clash with strapping on the affected area.

Nakamura told the Daily Record: “I will probably play with the strapping and as long as I have that I’ll be fine.”

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United will be well prepared for their title decider with Chelsea here Saturday despite his side having had less rest than their rivals.

United, who expect to have key defender Nemanja Vidic back after illness, flew to London on Thursday after their goalless Champions League semi-final draw in Barcelona on Wednesday.

Chelsea, three points behind Premier League leaders United, have had more time to prepare with an extra day’s rest after a 1-1 Champions League semi-final draw at Liverpool on Tuesday.

Manchester United’s Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic has been left out of Manchester United’s team to face Barcelona in their Champions League semi-final, first leg on Wednesday.

Vidic contracted a severe stomach bug late on Tuesday evening, after appearing at the pre-match press conference, and was taken to a local hospital for assessment.

He had only just returned to the United side after three weeks out of action with a knee injury.

The absence of the Vidic means Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has taken the unusual step of naming England midfielder Owen Hargreaves at right back.

The 31-year-old, who played for Bochum from 2001 to 2004, signed a two-year contract beginning on July 1 with the option of extending it for another season.

“I am delighted that the transfer has gone through,” said Hashemian, who scored 26 times in 66 matches for Bochum.

“For me, it is like returning to my home country,” added the Iranian, who also has had a spell with Bayern Munich.

Manchester United head into their Barcelona showdown with Cristiano Ronaldo warning that they still have to earn the plaudits that have been showered on them this season.

United’s Ronaldo-inspired class of 2008 have been hailed by manager Sir Alex Ferguson as a better side than the one that completed the treble by lifting the European Cup here in 1999.

But the 38-goal winger knows that history will judge things differently if he and his team-mates stumble in the closing stages of their pursuit of a Premier League and Champions League double.

Flamengo coach Joel Santana is set to fly to the rescue of 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa following the departure of his Brazilian compatriot Carlos Alberto Parriera.

Parreira, appointed in February 2007, announced Monday he was quitting his post due to his wife’s ongoing illness.

Although reports have yet to be confirmed by the South African federation, it appears South Africa may have found a solution to their dilemma.

Brazilian giants Flamengo claim on their website that Santana will take over South Africa once the Carioca championship is concluded. It seems to be supported by the fact that some players have already been told of Santana’s imminent departure.

The evergreen striker suffered a knee ligament injury in Saturday’s 1 – 1 drawn with AS Livorno.

Brozzi went on to ponder whether there was a partial or total lesion to the cruciate ligament. Only tests would determine that, he said.

AS Roma are three points behind reigning champions Inter Milan in their quest for Serie A top honours.

Whilst there is optimism within the club with a possibility that AS Roma can win the title they are still in the semi-finals of the Italian Club, they are the subject of a takeover bid.