Celtic star confirms he needs surgery and will miss season

Celtic's Daniel Arzani is stretchered off on his debut. Picture: SNS/Craig Foy

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The 19-year-old Australia winger was making his first appearance in a Hoops jersey since signing a two-year loan deal from Manchester City when his knee buckled on Dundee’s Dens Park turf last Wednesday.

He left the field on a stretcher and scans have now shown he requires an operation to rebuild a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Arzani confirmed the news in a tweet, posting: “Thank you to everyone who has taken the time out of their day to show support and love.

“Unfortunately I will need an ACL Op, ruling me out till next season!

“This is a tough time for me but also a chance to improve and come out of this better than ever! Love you all!”

The injury blow caps off a frustrating start to life in Glasgow for the highly-rated teenager. He joined late in August but was only handed his Celts debut with his side 5-0 up in last week’s Dens thrashing of Jim McIntyre’s basement boys.

Parkhead boss Brendan Rodgers was also hit with the news that midfielder Eboue Kouassi is out for the rest of the season with a similar injury to Arzani.

He said last week: “It’s hugely disappointing for both boys because they have been on the sidelines working their way through and in the last week they have been given opportunities, and both (injuries) are innocuous really.

“Daniel’s was a twist where his studs stayed in the grass and twisted his knee.”