MARTIN O'NEILL yesterday ruled out Colin Healy leaving Celtic on loan this month - but has promised him the chance to play in some big games between now and May.

The 22-year-old midfielder's contract expires at the end of the season, but with his first-team chances limited he has refused to sign an extension.

But the Parkhead boss rates the Republic of Ireland international highly and has told him he will get his chance if nobody comes in to buy him during the transfer window.

"I wouldn't be prepared to let any of my top players go out on loan at the moment," insisted O'Neill.

"The fact is that Colin has six months left on his contract and he has been injured for the last couple of weeks and he might have well figured before now.

"I know that Colin wants to play in somebody's first team and he had that good spell at Coventry which opened his eyes.

"He wants to play first team football and I totally understand that. If nothing develops with Colin in terms of someone buying him in January then I certainly won't loan him out.

"He has a part to play for us and, had he not have been injured, with the number of games the players have played, he could have been involved on Thursday.

"Colin has been offered a new contract and he hasn't signed it and I can understand that.

"There are other players also crying out for some games and that's what he would like.

"You never know what might materialise. Some midfield players might get injured like Neil Lennon again or Paul Lambert and Colin might step in and do the job and do the job superbly well that he keeps people out.

"I have said to him that some players won't be around forever. If Colin stays clear of injury and we are still involved in all competitions he will play for us this season and play in big games between now and the end of the campaign."

Goalkeeper Magnus Hedman is also looking for a long run in the side after replacing calf injury victim Robert Douglas recently.

The Swedish international will be in goal again at Aberdeen today and he admits he feels a "human being" again having been injured since August.

Douglas will need a hernia operation this month, but the summer signing is relishing a battle with the Scotland number one on his return after the winter break.

"I feel a human being again," said Hedman.

"Being a footballer, injuries are the worst thing that can happen to you, especially coming to a new club.

"I am really happy to be back and I had four minutes notice before coming into my first game back, but it was a shame it had to come with an injury to Rab.

"It's not the way you want it to happen and it happened to me in the warm-up, but you just get on with it.

"I was out for four months so I'm starting to really enjoy it again. The winter break has come at just the worse time for me.

"Rab has been doing really well and it's up to me to challenge him. I want to play as much as I possibly can and I'm here to do a job for Celtic.

"Rab has been playing the biggest part of the season and I've been out for a long time and I'm looking forward to the challenge with Rab when he comes back from injury."

O'Neill has asked his players for one last big effort at Pittodrie today to keep the pressure on Rangers going into the winter break.

"We are looking forward to the break," he admitted.

"But the first thing in the players' thoughts is to beat Aberdeen.

"They have to forget tiredness and concentrate on one more game. They will be doing their utmost to win the game and the break will take care of itself."