Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has dropped a promising update on the condition of Josip Juranovic.

What's the latest?

In recent comments cited by The Celtic Way, the 56-year-old Bhoys boss revealed that the right-back missed the Hoops' 3-2 victory over Aberdeen on Wednesday evening as a result of illness, before going on to suggest that the 26-year-old could be in line to make a return to first-team action this weekend, and if not, the Europa Conference League clash against Bodo/Glimt next week.

When asked about the Croatia international's absence, the Greek-Australian manager said: "He's got an illness mate. [He'll be back at] the weekend, hopefully, and if not he will definitely be back for the midweek fixture next week."

Fans will be buzzing

Considering just how important a part of the Celtic squad Juranovic has become since his £2.5m move to Parkhead last summer, the news that the defender does not look as if he will be sidelined for any real length of time is sure to have left the Bhoys fanbase buzzing.

Indeed, over his 20 Premiership outings this season, the £3.6m-rated Croatian has helped his side keep eight clean sheets, scored two goals and created four big chances for his teammates, in addition to making an average of 1.4 key passes, one interception, 1.6 tackles, 1.5 clearances and winning 3.1 duels per game.

These returns have seen the 26-year-old average a rather extraordinary SofaScore match rating of 7.25, ranking him as the joint tenth-best player in the top flight of Scottish football this term.

As such, it is clear for all to see that the return of the £16k-per-week Juranovic will come as a massive boost to Postecoglou and his side, particularly with the European clash with Bodo/Glimt coming up for the Hoops next week.

In other news: Ange can finally axe "explosive" £12.5k-p/w Celtic dud by unleashing £4k-p/w "athlete"