Beram Kayal has vowed to return a stronger player for Celtic after being ruled out for the rest of the season following ankle surgery.
The 23-year-old Israel international midfielder's operation on Monday was a success but he faces a four-month spell of rehabilitation which means he will miss the second half of the Hoops' campaign as they bid to clinch the SPL title.
However, Kayal, who suffered the injury to his ankle in the 1-0 home win against Old Firm rivals Rangers on December 28 which took Neil Lennon's men back to the top of the table, is aiming to be back sooner and stronger.
"It's bad timing but I will be back even stronger," Kayal told the Daily Record.
"The doctor and the specialist sat with me after the operation and said that the surgery was successful.
"As I said, the timing is not good for me after we got back into first place in the league so spectacularly.
"But I have had injuries in the past and come back stronger and I believe it will again be like that now.
"Already I cannot wait to start the process of my rehabilitation to get back into the game earlier than people think I will be back."