Neil Lennon couldn’t hide his delight at seeing Emilio Izaguirre back in action against Morton on Tuesday.
Whether the Honduran features against Kilmarnock tomorrow or in next week’s match against Rangers remains to be seen but the sight of Izaguirre charging up and down the left flank made a big impression on the Celtic boss.
Lennon’s distress at the players ankle break at Aberdeen in August was obvious for all to see but four months later the hoops boss can’t wait to work with last season’s triple Player of the Year award winner.
“It’s great to be able to sit here and talk about Emilio again,” Lennon admitted. “He played in a bounce game this week and it was his first 90 minutes in quite a while.
“He was a bit ring rusty, but, if I’m honest, he cruised through it. He’s a naturally fit lad, but he’s had a traumatic injury. It was a bit of a complicated one.
“He’s been frustrated and there’s no doubt, at times, it’s been hard for him but he’s a happy boy and he’s worked like a Trojan.
“He’ll be back and he’ll be better than he was before. He’ll be physically stronger and mentally stronger too. He’s bursting a gut to be involved and there’s no doubt we’ll have to temper the expectations and apply the brakes.
“We’re talking with the medical staff all the time and we’ll use caution. He’s had his family here with him and I think that’s helped.
“He had a wee break back home, but he’s just desperate to get back playing now. We want to get him back to the way he was last season. We will be careful with him.”
Joe Ledley returns to the squad tomorrow to give Lennon another option at left-back with Charlie Mulgrew likely to move in to the centre of defence to replace the injured Daniel Majstorovic.
A poll on the website goal currently has Izaguirre out in front with a 45% share of the votes for Honduran Player of the Year- CLICK HERE for more.”
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Can’t wait to see him back, he has been a huge loss.