Paddy McCourt has been assured by Neil Lennon that he still has a big part to play in the run-in to Celtic's season.
The Northern Ireland midfielder has been a regular in Lennon's side in recent months but failed to make the bench for Sunday's Scottish Cup fifth-round clash with Rangers at Ibrox and sat among the Hoops fans in the Broomloan Road Stand as the visitors came from behind twice to force a replay.
"I had a chat with the manager on Sunday and as you know there are only five substitutes in a cup game and I think that played against me," said McCourt. "He reassured me that was the reason why and hopefully I will be involved next week."
He added: "At the start of the season he wanted me there and he convinced me to stay at the club.
"I have played a lot of football this year and I have been fairly happy.
"I was a wee bit disappointed not to be involved, it was the first time it had happened this season.
"I watched it in with the fans, when the players aren't involved at Ibrox that's where you go.
"It was a good experience but I would much rather have been on the pitch.
"The fans got behind the team and the team responded. Even when we were down to 10 men we still kept passing the ball.
"We have plenty of footballers who like to get on the ball and pass it and that showed in the game."
Source: PA
