Jeremy Toljan’s chance to shine in Rangers-Celtic clash appears dead

Add as preferred source on Google

Jeremy Toljan’s opportunity to impress this Sunday at Ibrox appears to be over.

That’s because it looks as though Mikael Lustig will be fit to face Rangers instead. The Scottish Sun reported that both Lustig and Kieran Tierney will likely be ready to take part in the final Glasgow derby of the season.

It’s a massive boost for Neil Lennon. Having both first-choice full-backs available should give Celtic a much better chance of taking the points at Ibrox. Tierney’s fitness should still be a concern with the Scottish Cup final coming up, however.

But there’s no denying who the first-choice should be down the right if everyone is fit. Lustig has done well since coming back into the side under Lennon.

The Swede has played in each of the last seven games for Celtic. Lennon has entrusted him with being his first-choice right-back these days, and he hasn’t been let down either.

But the injury news regarding Lustig also pretty much confirms Toljan can forget about any form of mini-renaissance before the end of the season.

An ultimately disappointing piece of recruitment

Borussia Dortmund signed the German for €5million, and much was expected of him when he arrived in Glasgow. But he’s started just four games under Lennon in nearly three months. He hasn’t proved himself to be any better than Lustig, and has massively disappointed if we’re being truthful.

Ibrox represented a chance for Toljan to give himself something to be proud of upon returning to Dortmund this summer. It could’ve been his shot to fall back in with the Celtic supporters. A chance to give the fans and himself a memento before he heads off.

It looks like any chances of that, however, are now dead in the water. With just three games remaining left this season, time is now more or less up for Toljan to make an impact. Sunday could’ve been it, but Lustig’s availability halts any likelihood of that.

It’s a shame considering how high-profile a signing he was. He’ll certainly go down as one that flattered to deceive at Parkhead.

But the most important thing for Celtic is wrapping up the treble treble. If we win that, Toljan can at least go back to Germany with some winners’ medals.