Efrain Juarez will make his first appearance of 2012 today when Mexico face Columbia in Miami.
Juarez returned to Celtic in January after Real Zaragoza sacked coach Javier Aguirre and cut short the 24-year-old's loan spell with the La Liga strugglers.
Despite failing to build on his early impact at Celtic Juarez remains an important figure for Mexico who are using tonight's match to prepare for their World Cup qualifying campaign which begins in June.
“It's not so long since Efrain was playing for Zaragoza,” national coach Chepo de la Torre explained about the Celtic players inclusion.
“I have made it clear from the beginning that this match is about preparing the group for the World Cup qualifiers.
“We did well at the Gold Cup last year, Efrain was part of that and wants to fo well with the national side.”
Juarez looks unlikely to feature again for Celtic this season but is pragmatic about his situation.
He said: “I'm trying to do my best, obviously I know it's complicated because the team is doing very well and that complicates my situation even more.
“I'm training like I always did, like a pro, training hard in every workout and hoping that an opportunity will come up.
“I'm putting in extra training sessions and playing for the reserves to keep my fitness up.”
CLICK HERE for Rangers v Celtic ticket stand off
CLICK HERE for Aiden McGeady- it’s Rangers fault
Follow Video Celts on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
I agree Stevie. Of all the signings made at that time I thought he was the most impressive in the early days and looked like he was going to be an excellent addition. Very disappointed it did not turn out that way.
Anyone know why?
Have heard some rumours about problems with Lenny and not pulling his weight in training but don’t know if there is any truth in this.
His ban from international football coincided with his demise at Celtic did it not?
Hope juarez gets his chance again at first team football for us,he looked a class act for us when he signed.
Maybe it was just a rumour, but i heard that he spat the dummy when we got put out of europe twice, Braga then Utrecht.
Makes sense, apart from a couple of goes at right back in an emergency, we’ve not seen him at all.
Agree with Stevie, looked the part, maybe he’ll get another chance if we wrap the title up early, along with Paddy, the big Pole, Loovens etc. etc
Whatever happened last season, I think the guy’s worth a second chance. How many players take ages to adjust when they come here ?
Besides, when we got knocked out of Europe twice, I spat the dummy as well. I’d have more problems with him if he wasn’t bothered.
In Lennon I trust!!
Agree it’s odd not to have seen him more, was excellent last season coming on for brown at killie.
Thats football!!