Teddy ready to turn superspy

Sep 7 2008 By Gavin Berry

World Cup

SIDELINED Teddy Bjarnason is gutted he has been denied the chance to show Celtic they were wrong to dump him by starring against Scotland on Wednesday.

But the Icelandic midfielder has still vowed to do all he can to help his country after giving team boss Olafur Johannessen the lowdown on his knowledge of George Burley's men.

A groin injury ruled Bjarnason out of yesterday's Group Nine 2-2 draw with the Norwegians in Oslo and the midweek home tie with Scotland.

They were the two games he wanted to play in most because he now plays in Norway for Lyn Oslo after his short stint in Scotland.

Bjarnason was disappointed he failed to make the grade at Parkhead, playing just one first-team game - against Hibs - on the last day of the 2005/06 season.

But Teddy got to know the likes of Celts Stephen McManus, Paul Hartley and Gary Caldwell who could all feature against Iceland.

And he said: "I told the manager how good Scotland's players are and a bit about the individuals I played with but it's important we focus on ourselves.

"We have to stay tight at the back and try not to give Scotland too many chances. We'll be looking for counter attacks and hopefully we can catch them out. They can expect a tough game. While we are not the most technical side we most definitely are physical. We never give up and fight a lot, we have big hearts.

"I'm gutted that my groin injury is going to rule me out of the two games I wanted to play in most - against Norway and Scotland.

"It would have been good to play against my old Celtic team-mates and maybe prove I could have made it at Parkhead.

"And Norway was another game I would love to have featured in because I now play in the capital for Lyn Oslo and the match was in my club stadium. It's unfortunate timing but I'll be back for the next match."