Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has praised Emilio Izaguirre.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has told The Scottish Sun that it’s great to have Emilio Izaguirre at the club, hinting that he could earn a new contract with the club.
Izaguirre, 30, is one of the longest-serving players in the Celtic squad having joined the club fro Motagua in his native Honduras, having impressed for his country during the 2010 World Cup in Brazil.
Celtic’s Emilio Izaguirre
The left back has racked up almost 250 appearances for Celtic in over six years with the club, but has spent much of the last 12 months serving as Celtic’s backup left back.
Teenager Kieran Tierney has emerged as Celtic’s number one left back over the last year, relegating Izaguirre to second choice and a spot on the substitutes bench.
However, a recent injury to Tierney means that Izaguirre is back in the side, and his performances have earned praise – and it’s a key time for him to be impressing given that his contract expires at the end of the season.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers celebrates
Izaguirre told The Scottish Sun earlier this week that he tried to leave the Bhoys for another club over the summer, as he wanted to play more first-team football – but now, he’s featuring again for the Bhoys.
Ahead of this afternoon’s game with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, manager Rodgers has told The Scottish Sun that he loves the competition at left back, noting the balance between the experience of Izaguirre and the youth of Tierney.
Rodgers also hinted at a new deal for Izaguirre, stating that it’s great for him to have a player like the Honduran at the club, whilst hailing his last three performances for the Bhoys.
Celtic’s Emilio Izaguirre during training
“That’s the idea, to have the competition. We have one with experience, and one with youthfulness — so it is perfect balance,” said Rodgers. “Emilio’s been very good since coming back into the team. It’s really a testament to how hard he has been working. A lot of the guys who have been playing regularly have got a lot of credit, and rightly so. But they have only been so good because there are a lot of guys in behind them who have been pushing them.”
“Emilio has come in and played at Ross County away, Aberdeen away, Monchengladbach away and showed up well. I was pleased with the defensive part of his game. I think he is renowned more for going forward, but he has defended strongly. It is great for him. And great for me to have someone like that,” he added.
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