Emilio Izaguirre hopes to feature prominently in the run-in as Celtic chase a domestic treble.
The Honduran has made only eight appearances after breaking his ankle early in the campaign, and has been used sparingly by Neil Lennon upon returning to the squad. But with Celtic still involved in both domestic cup competitions and on the brink of clinching their first Scottish Premier League title in four seasons, Izaguirre is desperate to be involved.
"I'm very sad with the way the year has gone and not to be playing at the level I was at last year," he said. "But really I am just concentrating on getting my fitness back up, being at 100% and to keep contributing to Celtic's success.
"I'm not that far off match-fitness, I'm working on it constantly. If it was up to me I'd be out there playing right now but I am putting in the work. I've worked really hard to recuperate and I'm almost there. What I most want is to play; I'd be playing this Sunday at Dundee United if I could, never mind the cup final the following Sunday. You want to come away with the treble and I hope to God that is what happens."
Despite his extended absence from the team this season, Izaguirre was always confident he would make a return. "I never had any doubts because the doctors have always told me this is an injury that footballers have had and you can recuperate from it. So I never had any doubts that I would get back to the same level of fitness.
"It wasn't a shock to me because every player knows when you are injured, as you recuperate it is a gradual process and you have to take it as it comes. So I knew it was the way it was going to be. Everyone has helped me; my family, my dad, my wife, my son, team-mates, friends and all the trainers. Everyone kept me in mind and everyone has been a great help."
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