Odsonne Edouard is fit to face Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday after shaking off the injury which curtailed his involvement against Aberdeen.
After a clumsy challenge from Dons’ defender Scott McKenna, the French striker was replaced by eventual match-winner Scott Sinclair two minutes from the interval.
However, dispelling fears the 20-year-old would not be fit enough to board the charter to Austria on Wednesday, Celtic team-mate Kieran Tierney believes he has shaken off the injury and is in contention for a starting place.
‘He’s fine,’ Tierney said. ‘He’s back training with us. You saw the tackle.’
Clearly unimpressed that McKenna was not penalised by referee Bobby Madden, on account of the defender having first touched the ball, Edouard posted an Instagram picture of the incident adjacent to a smiling emoji.
Skipper Scott Brown later turned up the heat on the official by posting: ‘Can’t wait to see if I can get away with one of them.’ While Tierney accepts there was no malicious intent from McKenna, he feels Edouard was lucky not to suffer a serious injury.
‘Odsonne got lucky because his foot hadn’t been planted. It looked a really sore one, so to have him back on the training ground is great.
‘I saw the photograph Odsonne put on social media — and Broony’s comment underneath it as well. (Scott McKenna) probably never meant to do it but it’s just one of those things — anyone can mistime a challenge.’
Brendan Rodgers’ side take on the free-scoring Austrian champions in what is likely to be their toughest Europa League group fixture.
But Tierney believes Celtic’s recent defensive record gives them a solid foundation.
‘What is it, five clean sheets in six domestically,’ said Tierney. ‘That’s a good start although I’ve been told they (Salzburg) are averaging three (goals) a game. It’s going to be hard, but it’s a challenge we welcome.’