IN a series of recent landmarks for Celtic one understandably passed most people by in the delirium of the Hogmanay win at Ibrox.

This was the day when Emilio Izaguirre, a player who seemed so certain to leave last summer, chalked up his 250th appearance for the club he joined six-and-a-half years ago now. There won’t be too many foreign players who can boast more appearances. Certainly no other Hondurans.

The left-back has been through a lot. There have been plenty of good times, he was Player of the Year in his first season, many medals have been one, but there has also been a bad ankle break and then the emergence of Kieran Tierney, which appeared to signal the end of his time in Glasgow.

Read more: Lubo Moravcik rooting for current Celtic team to be Treble winners like Martin O'Neill's men

Indeed, last season at Perth, in one of the final games, he threw his jersey into the crowd. By all means it looked like a farewell.

Who could have blamed him? Tierney proved himself the real deal and what experienced international wants to sit on the sideline, hoping his rusty body gets a brief run out here and there, while the new star shines in his position?

Izaguirre decided to stick it out. Not only that, he dedicated himself to helping his young apprentice; Tierney has never been slow to sing the praises of the man’s how place he took. This does not happen all the time.

Then the teenager got an injury himself, old faithful was brought back in and he has served his team well. There were low moments against Barcelona, he gave away a penalty, and he didn’t last to half-time at Fir Park having been given a run around by Motherwell winger Chris Cadden.

However, his form really picked up and after an unconvincing start to the Rangers game, this familiar old face went on to have a superb game. He hopes there will be many more to come.

Read more: Lubo Moravcik rooting for current Celtic team to be Treble winners like Martin O'Neill's men

“Celtic is a big part of my life,” he said. “My family and I will always be supporters of the club. God and Celtic gave me the opportunity to play for a big club, and the supporters and everything around Celtic is a blessing for me.

“My 250th appearance in the win at Ibrox was a blessing as well. I say thank you to Celtic and the supporters for always backing me and to get 250 appearances for Celtic is great.

“I will always try my best for the club. You’ll never forget these moments. I’ll never in my life forget that I played a few times at Ibrox and won twice.”

But even the most professional player, and nobody can doubt this man’s dedication, must wonder what to do when some young whipper snapper comes from nowhere and takes his place.

Too many would kick up a stink. However, it is hard to imagine such a polite and quietly spoken individual banging down any manager’s door.

“I work hard but if you don’t play, there’s no drama,” said Izaguirre when speaking to this week’s Celtic View. “I’m a professional footballer and I know the situation can change tomorrow. When you have the opportunity you have to show your best.

Read more: Lubo Moravcik rooting for current Celtic team to be Treble winners like Martin O'Neill's men

“We play for the same team and when he plays I still support the team.”

Brendan Rodgers has even spoken about offering the 30-year-old a new deal. Given he would be such a willing and reliable understudy to Tierney, who is due back over the next few weeks, then it makes a lot of sense.

“The best moments have been winning” he said when looking back at what he’s achieved. “We want to give the fans happiness. Winning trophies has been a blessing for me and I want more, and I’ll keep working every day to get that.

“The next trophy we win will be my tenth at Celtic and I’m looking forward to it. I always need to focus on why I’m doing it. My dream was always to play for a good club and a big club in the Champions League.

“I love Celtic because of the opportunity they gave me. I’m not looking to the future, I’m just looking at it every day.”