Celtic handed huge injury boost over Yosuke Ideguchi | OneFootball

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has delivered a major injury boost ahead of his side’s Scottish Cup fifth round clash against Raith Rovers this weekend.

What’s the story?

Yosuke Ideguchi, who arrived at the club in the January transfer window, was forced off on his first start for the Hoops in the last round of the cup against Alloa following a heavy challenge.

However, Postecoglou has confirmed in his pre-match press conference (via Football Scotland) that the midfielder has recovered from his knock and is now in line to return for Sunday afternoon’s clash.

Big boost for Celtic

With Celtic really beginning to ride this wave of momentum since the turn of the new year, news that Ideguchi is set to be back is another welcome shot in the arm for Postecoglou.

A couple of his other January signings in Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate have both taken to Scottish football like a duck to water, and Hoops fans will surely be excited at the prospect of seeing Ideguchi finally make his mark on the team as well.

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The 25-year-old has earned rave reviews for his hard work and dedication, something which was hailed by Damir Buric, his former manager at Greuther Furth, who said: “In regards to Yosuke, I can only speak the best. He is an outstanding person with great character. He showed such a great attitude and positive approach.

“He was extremely disciplined, took in every additional training session of physical rehabilitation and invested all of his time in getting back as soon as he possibly could.”

Those sentiments were echoed by current Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa, who also had him for a short spell at Elland Road.

The Argentine said: “If he stays with us, I will do everything I can to help him as I did until now. He’s a very valuable professional. He dignifies the Japanese people and I have a deep admiration for Japan. He’s a player who during the six weeks of pre-season worked very well and very hard. I saw a very positive evolution.”