Yang Hyun-jun will return to the Celtic squad this weekend as the Hoops get ready to resume league action following the international break.
Whilst Yang returns from suspension, Celtic could be without their manager, as Brendan Rodgers will attend an SFA hearing tomorrow where he awaits what action will be taken after a break of SFAs disciplinary rule 72.
This comes after Rodgers named official John Beaton is his post-match interview following Celtic's 2-0 defeat at Tynecastle as they missed out on the chance to leapfrog Rangers at the summit of the Premiership. It was following this defeat that Yang was given a two-match suspension for a straight red card for his high foot on Alex Cochrane, a decision that was very controversial.
Celtic appealed the sending-off but it was swiftly thrown out, with Don Robertson's decision to go to the monitor and overturn his initial verdict being deemed the correct decision.
Yang's return will be a welcome one as he seemed to be coming into a bit of form before the suspension, with him even having a bright start at Tynecastle and winning Celtic the penalty before he was dismissed after just 16 minutes.
Brendan Rodgers is also looking forward to the return of the South Korean international, with the gaffer stating: “I can see his progress, he did great against Dundee and he has been progressing every day in training.
"We spoke to him, it wasn’t his fault [the red card against Hearts], it was unfortunate and sadly he has missed a couple of games.
“He will be back and feeling great and, if anything, it gave us the opportunity to put Nicolas Kuhn in as well.
"Now he looks like he has come on to his game and looking stronger. He looks a different player in training now. So, it’s been a great opportunity for him.
"If nothing else, after those couple of games, what we gained from that is game time for Nicolas who has shown up really well, then Yang comes back and we have two really good players for that position.
“He has been working on his overall game, his understanding out on the field. HIs analysis behind the scenes. Getting his upper-body strength because it’s a physical game here and in Europe.
“Whatever league you are in in Britain it’s a physically demanding league. He has just grown throughout the season and it’s so good to see.”
It has been a consistent theme for Celtic with further returns coming after the international break. Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor will both be back in the side following injury lay-offs, which will boost the club's option in the middle of the park. Now more firepower has been added in Celtic's attack with the return from suspension of Yang Hyun-jun.
One of the main criticisms of Yang's game has been his lack of physicality, and that same issue has been outlined with Nicolas Kuhn. Kuhn has started to look a lot stronger in recent weeks, and with Yang also identifying and working on his deficiencies, this willingness for self-development will only serve them well in their Celtic careers.
James McKenzie // @JamesWHMcKenzie