Brendan Rodgers has admitted that there is no definite date for Kieran Tierney’s return to first team football.
The defender hasn’t played since the Europa League match against RB Salzburg on December 13 but was listed as a substitute for the Glasgow derby at the end of the month.
Last week there were reports that the Valencia matches on February 14 and 21 were the target for Tierney’s return but the 21-year-old is currently in the hands of the clubs medical department.
Rest or an operation likely to require a six month lay-off are the only solutions for a hip injury with Rodgers concerned about the welfare of one of his most important players.
Asked if the timescale on Tierney’s recovery was a concern the Celtic boss said: “There was no time on it, of course we miss a player of that quality, there’s no doubt. He’s a player that can really make the difference and does make the difference.
“He is also a young player that you can’t rush. It’s based around his feeling, he’s a really tough boy Kieran as well as an outstanding player. You know when he can’t play because of the pain that it’s for real.
“So we’re hoping that in the next few weeks he can get back to training, in the meantime he is working with the medical team.”
Asked if an operation was a possibility Rodgers said: “I’m not sure. We just have to assess that, he’s in good hands with the medical team here and the specialists that we use. We’ll get it by them.”
Callum McGregor, Jonny Hayes and Emilio Izaguirre have all filled in at left-back since Tierney was ruled out.
Since being given his opportunity under Ronny Deila the bhoy from Wishaw has made the left-back slot his own and become one of Celtic’s most important players.