Cha Du-Ri is willing to fight Mark Wilson for the right-back role at Celtic now that he is fighting fit and ready for action. The South Korean picked up an ankle injury during his first training session following his return from the Asian Cup. However, following weeks of rehabilitation and building his fitness, Cha is ready to give Wilson a run for his money. Cha returned to action in last weekend's friendly against Athletic Bilbao and is determined to show that he can contribute to manager Neil Lennon's plans for the title-run in. However, Cha is well aware of just how tough a task he could face, having watched Wilson make the most of his opportunity to shine.
He said: "I must fight for my place in the team and I will do just that. Mark has played very well while I was away in the Asian Cup and when I was out injured. He's scored important goals and been a great player for us so I have to show the manager that I'm fit and able to play again before I get back into the team. He will then make a decision about who is better for the team. I will fight hard in training and then we will see what happens."
Cha admits the exertions in the Asian Cup may have taken its toll on him when he returned to Glasgow, adding: "Maybe my body was a little bit tired. The first session after I came back I picked up the injury and had to get treatment for a month. I'm happy that I'm back now, though, and I can help the team. I'm ready, I'm fit and everything is good again. I will be ready for the Inverness game if the manager picks me. The rehab wasn't easy. It never is when it's the ankle. I could feel it when I jumped and when I turned but that's not a problem now. After every session it's much better. The medical staff have been great and they are all happy with my progress. Without them I wouldn't be back so soon and I have to thank them for that."
Cha had to watch from the sidelines as Celtic lost to rivals Rangers in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final. But he still has every faith in the Parkhead's' ability to claim a domestic double this season. He said: "It's not easy for a player when they are injured and have to watch the game from the outside, especially one like last week in the cup final. We lost a very big match but I'm sure the players will remember this feeling and we'll fight to make sure we never have it again. We still have a chance to win the Scottish Cup and the league. The most important is the championship so we have to make sure it's in our own hands. We have one more game against Rangers which we have to win to put us in pole position."