Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that SPFL player of the month for November, Sead Haksabanovic, is set for a return from injury.
However, the Hoops will still be without central defender Stephen Welsh, who is a ‘couple of weeks away’ from making a comeback.
Alongside James McCarthy, the Celtic duo were the only other players to miss out on the Bhoys’ return to competitive action through injury against Aberdeen.
Missing out on the trip to Pittodrie would have come as a slight blow to Haksabanovic, who picked up the player of the month award on Friday.
The Celtic boss confirmed pre-match that the winger had unfortunately missed out after sustaining a knock in training the day prior.
Ahead of the trip up North, Welsh was already ruled out of action after also picking up an injury of his own just before the end of the winter break.
Speaking ahead of Celtic’s home fixture against Livingston on Wednesday night, Ange Postecoglou confirmed the shape his squad was in.
The former Socceroos boss stated that everyone involved in Saturday’s win had come through the game fine, with no new knocks to report.
Postecoglou also confirmed that he will welcome back Haksabanovic. But, in Welsh’s case, he will be missing for the next few weeks.
He said [Celtic FC]: “Yeah, Sead (Haksabanovic) is back, he’s good. And everyone got through the weekend all well.
“In terms of outs, obviously, James McCarthy is still out, and Welshy, who is probably another couple of weeks away and obviously Josip (Juranovic) is away.
“But out of the weekend, Sead is back and trained the last couple of days; fit and available.”
Celtic set to welcome back Haksabanovic as Welsh sits out festive period.
As the Bhoys kick off what will be a somewhat busy festive period, Stephen Welsh will be missing for the next few weeks.
Thankfully for Ange Postecoglou, he still has plenty of cover in the centre-back area, with Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt and Mortiz Jenz all available.
The Celtic manager will also be happy to reintroduce Sead Haksabanovic, who will be looking to really kick on in the second half of the campaign.
Before the break, we were really starting to see the best of the winger, who has scored in his last two appearances at Celtic Park.
Postecoglou has previously hinted we are going to see the best of the Montenegrin international after the World Cup, and a mini pre-season in Portugal will have only helped that.
At times during the 1-0 win over Aberdeen last weekend, the Hoops struggled to break down a stubborn Dons defence. Adding another attacking option to his squad will only boost Celtic going into an important run of games.
In other news, SPFL boss awaiting Celtic talks as loanees 2023 destination set to be decided.
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