Emilio Izaguirre's broken leg overshadows Celtic victory
Celtic manager Neil Lennon visibly winced in the technical area as he saw his star left-back fall awkwardly and seriously damage his left leg after a fair, sliding challenge by Dons midfielder Peter Pawlett after quarter-of-an-hour.
Lennon's worst fears were confirmed after the match when he learned that the Honduras international - who swept the player of the year honours board after an outstanding 2010-11 debut season in Scotland - had fractured his right fibula.
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Hide AdFurther tests will ascertain whether Izaguirre will require surgery, but Lennon described his absence as a "huge blow" and conveyed the best wishes of all at the club for the 25-year-old to make a healthy and speedy recovery. Izaguirre's injury came just 24 hours after Dundee United midfielder Scott Severin was carried off during his side's 1-1 draw with St Mirren at Tannadice with a similar injury. The 32-year-old former Hearts and Aberdeen player suffered a triple leg break, and has undergone surgery.
The leg break suffered by Izaguirre overshadowed a battling victory by Celtic, secured by Anthony Stokes' goal in the 74th minute. Celtic sit on a maximum six points from two games, but leading the Clydesdale Premier League by a point this morning are Motherwell, who beat Hearts 1-0 at Fir Park yesterday.
The Lanarkshire side capitalised on a straight red card shown to Hearts midfielder Ian Black after a challenge on Keith Lasley, who himself was sent off in the 86th minute for a second yellow card after Jamie Murphy had put his side ahead on the hour mark.