Opinion: Celtic manager's fitness update is good news for Hoops fans

Celtic fans were no doubt a bit concerned when right-back Josip Juranovic missed the recent win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie. The Croatian international has been in great form for the Bhoys recently, and he was one of the Hoops’ best performers in the emphatic win over Rangers which moved Celtic to the top of the Premiership table.

The good news for Celtic fans though is that manager Ange Postecoglou has provided an update on the player’s fitness, and it is a positive one.

“He’s got an illness. He’ll be back at the weekend, hopefully, and if not he will definitely be back for the midweek fixture next week” the Hoops boss disclosed, as quoted by the Daily Record.

Postecoglou’s comments will be a relief to the Hoops support. The last thing Celtic need at this moment in time is to be without one of their most important players for a period. 

Thankfully for the Hoops, it looks like at most Juranovic will miss two games for the side. If there is any doubt about his fitness, he should be rested for the Scottish Cup tie against Raith Rovers.

The Hoops should have enough quality in the side to get that game won without Juranovic featuring. That might not be the case with next week’s Europa Conference League tie against Bodo/Glimt, so it is understandable if Postecoglou keeps the player in reserve until then.

Juranovic has undeniably been one of Celtic’s best players this season, and it seems that his performances have caught the attention of some clubs.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano told football.scotland that “there is a lot of interest in Juranovic, a lot of clubs are looking at him”.

That might well be the case, but the Hoops should be looking to keep the player for at least another calendar year. If Celtic can get the player