Celtic have been handed a big boost as fears of a potential leg break for defender Emilio Izaguirre are allayed by the medical staff at Parkhead.
The left back, who has been a regular in the side over winter due to Kieran Tierney’s own injury setback, was forced off in the final 10 minutes of the win over Hibernian on Wednesday night after being on the end of a nasty looking challenge from Darnell Johnston.
However, despite initial fears there could be serious damage, Brendan Rodgers revealed that the medical staff believe he has had a lucky escape and that he will be back in action sooner rather than later.
The manager told the Daily Record: “It was a clumsy challenge on Emilio. At best it was clumsy, because he was over on the ball. I think it scared Emilio a little bit, because he’s had issues with broken ankles before.
“But the medical team are telling me they think he’s got away with it. He’s a little bit sore but he will be okay in a few days.”
Opinion
Rodgers is being very diplomatic in his response to the flashpoint on Wednesday, for the tackle from Johnston was less clumsy and more dangerous, regardless of whether or not there was any malice from the Hibs man. Izaguirre might not be everyone’s cup of tea but he is a solid option at left back when Tierney is out and has helped the Hoops to keep leading the charge in the hunt for the Premiership title in late 2019 and early 2019. Keeping the South American fit, even when Tierney is back, will be important to Rodgers as he looks to rotate his squad for the Scottish Cup and Europa League games coming up between now and the end of the season. To have seen him sidelined with a leg break might not have been the most disastrous thing that Celtic fans can imagine but if they want to see their side complete another treble winning campaign they need all the bodies they can get. As such, there should be a wave of relief rolling over Parkhead on Thursday morning – although until the scans are completed there is no guaranteeing just how long Izaguirre will be sitting out.