Charlie Mulgrew is on course to make his first team return against Inverness Caley Thistle on trophy day.
The 29-year-old came through 45 minutes of the development team match against St Mirren without any adverse reaction to the knee injury that has kept him out of action since the start of December.
Mulgrew did attempt a comeback during the Premier League International Cup tie against Villarreal in January but picked up a knock that set his recovery back again.
After his 45 minute appearance against St Mirren development team coach Stevie Frail said: “Charlie’s had a long road back from injury, it was always the intention to give him 45 minutes. At half time he said he felt fine and hopefully there will be no adverse reaction
“His focus and goal is to get himself fit and hopefully get some game time before the season finishes, it’s the same with Tom Rogic who has been through a lot, so many setbacks.
“Against Villarreal at Dartford it was a really difficult pitch, we were probably five minutes away from taking Charlie off when he felt something go. It could have happened anywhere.”
Mulgrew’s return to full fitness will be a timely boost for Celtic’s Champions League prospects with speculation surrounding the future of Virgil van Dijk and Jason Denayer’s loan deal coming to an end.
Having a fully fit Mulgrew available to play at centre-half through the qualifying campaign will provide some stability as Ronny Deila attempts to take Celtic through three qualifying rounds to reach the group stage of the competition.
Deila’s summer budget will be heavily dependent on whether Celtic reach the group stage which would bring in a clear profit of over £20m under the new broadcasting deals.
