Celtic's build-up to the first of the season's Old Firm games against Rangers at Ibrox tomorrow has been further disrupted after a training ground clash between striker Henrik Larsson and defender Tosh McKinlay.

The two players were involved in a violent confrontation that ended with the Swedish internationalist being led from the field with blood flowing from a nose injury that onlookers claimed came from a head butt from the Scotland World Cup man after he had taken a punch from the Swede.

Later, McKinlay left Celtic Park swiftly without speaking to fans who were waiting outside. Larsson, meanwhile, was en route to Glasgow Airport, flying back to Sweden for the funeral of his father-in-law, which will take place at lunchtime today.

It is believed that the earliest fears on the training ground were that the striker had suffered a broken nose and there were immediate attempts made to repair the damage. Celtic attempted to play down the affair, although they refused to comment on suggestions that McKinlay, out of favour at Parkhead, had been told not to report to the ground until further notice.

The statement, issued last night from the Celtic general manager, Jock Brown, seemed intent on papering over the cracks that the incident had suddenly exposed. It said: ''There was a training-ground incident today and such events happen in professional sport.

''There have been no serious injuries and it has not affected our total concentration for Saturday. The players are relaxed and focused and the morale at the club has not been damaged.

''Wim Jansen has given Henrik Larsson special leave to attend the funeral of his father-in-law in Sweden and he will join the squad tomorrow.''

However, the spokesman given the authority to pass on this statement could not say when the funeral would take place, nor when Larsson would join the rest of the Celtic players. Even so, it is taking place at noon today and there is little likelihood that Larsson will be able to join his playing colleagues for training.

He may return later, but it is hardly ideal preparation for the first Old Firm outing of the striker's career. His injury may be slight, as Celtic claim. It may be more serious, as the earliest evidence suggested when he left training with a blood-stained jersey.

Whether he can be as ''focused'' as the general manager suggests, having dealt with a family funeral, travelled back and forward to Sweden inside 24 hours, and suffered at the hands of a team-mate, is very doubtful.

No-one can be ''relaxed'' after undergoing that scenario and then be thrown into the maelstrom of an Old Firm clash.

All of this comes, too, on the back of the turmoil behind the scenes caused by the sacking of assistant general manager David Hay. It seems that Celtic cannot avoid controversy in the run-up to their crucial games against Rangers - and, this time, they can blame no-one but themselves for the adverse publicity that now hangs around Celtic Park.

If Larsson does not play, then the Celtic coach Wim Jansen may turn to Darren Jackson to take over up front, but, again, after two reserve games, will he be ready for such a test? These are the problems surrounding Celtic 24 hours before one of the games that can help decide the destination of the championship.

There was some good news yesterday, however, as Paul Lambert flew in from Germany after making a victorious and emotional farewell to the Borussia Dortmund fans after helping the German club defeat Parma and virtually clinch their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions' League.

The #2m transfer deal has been completed and Lambert underwent medical examinations yesterday and will be unveiled as the latest addition to Jansen's first team squad this morning. It seems certain that he will be called upon to play in the Old Firm game tomorrow and be asked to demonstrate the discipline that the Bundesliga has taught him and which he has transferred into his Scotland appearances.

That is a bonus for puzzled Celtic fans this morning who worry and wonder over why the problems that have surfaced have had to come in this week of all weeks. Of course, there must now be a quesion mark over the future of McKinlay with the club.

He was one of the shrewdest signings made by the former manager, Tommy Burns, and his career with Celtic saw him enjoy an Indian summer that thrust him onto the international scene. This year, though, while the Scotland manager Craig Brown has kept faith with the player, Wim Jansen has axed him, preferring Frenchman Stephan Mahe.

Now the left back may leave in the wake of this incident and also to protect his Scotland position with France and the World Cup finals looming.