CELTIC have refused to release Aleksandar Tonev to play for Bulgaria in a friendly next month because he will be back available for the club after his ban, writes Mark Walker.
The midfielder is currently serving a seven-match SFA ban for aiming a racist comment at Aberdeen defender Shay Logan.
Tonev was named in Bulgaria's squad to face Romania in a friendly in Antayla in Turkey on February 7. However, the Bulgarians have been informed by Celtic that the on-loan Aston Villa man will be unavailable to play for them because the match is not an international FIFA date.
Bulgaria's newly appointed manager, Ivaylo Petev, said: "The date is not on the FIFA calendar so Celtic have every right to keep Aleksandar. It's a pity, but I will just have to call new players up instead. He's an important player for us, but there is nothing we can do."
Celtic, whose potential top-of-the-table showdown with Aberdeen was yesterday put back a day until noon on Sunday, March 1 with live coverage on Sky Sports, have stood by Tonev and he will be eligible to return from his ban against Rangers in the League Cup semi-final.
The last of his seven matches will be the Ross County game and, because Celtic's match with Partick Thistle was postponed, it means his comeback could theoretically be in the Old Firm showdown.
Meanwhile, Teemu Pukki has admitted he would love to secure a permanent move to Brondby this month.
The £2.4 million Finn went on loan to Denmark at the end of the last transfer window after failing to make an impact at Parkhead. But he has had no such problems at the Copenhagen side and is their top scorer this season.
Brondby would like to tie down Pukki on a longer deal and the former Schalke player would have no problem leaving Celtic this month for good.
He said: "I have enjoyed my time here. It was easy for me to settle and my team mates have been great to me.
"It is important to feel wanted and I really think Brondby is a fantastic club. I enjoy being here, not just football wise but also personally. I think that helps me on the field.
"Also, I am played as a striker which is my best position. It is up to the two clubs what happens with me, but I can only say I would be happy to stay."
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