The 20 year old snapped his knee ligament just seconds after coming off the bench on his Celtic debut, ruling him out for the rest of last season and Australia's Asian Cup campaign.

After surgery by Pep Guardiola's handpicked specialist in Barcelona and months of rehab, Arzani is ready to return to action next season.

But he admits he's questioned if he can return to the form that saw his name sung by thousands in Russian stadiums during the World Cup last year.

"Absolutely - 110 percent," he admitted. "It happens all the time. When you're in gym working on it every single day and it still doesn't feel the same as it did...

"You're just like, 'When is it ever going to feel the same?'

"It's been really hard. Obviously doing  your ACL in general, but doing it when you go to a new club and it's on your debut and you're feeling good...

"It's gut-wrenching."

Arzani is already back running and set to train with the first team squad. Celtic's European campaign starts next month which may be too soon for him, but he's targeting the Scottish Premiership kick off.

"It does get better over time," he said. "I think now that's all behind me. I'm feeling really close to being 100% now 

"I'm just looking forward to the next season. I'm really excited. I'm going into this season, obviously just to be fit and to be training with the boys but also hopefully, to make an impact on the season.

"The biggest focus right now is just getting back and playing that first game, training back with the boys and just have my eyes set on getting my body right and feeling 100%.

"And getting back to that first game."

Since being knocked out of action by the ACL injury, Celtic lost their manager when Brendan Rodgers headed back to the EPL with Leicester City while former Hibs coach Neil Lennon returned to the Celtic hotseat to replace him.

Arzani admitted he had yet to speak much with the new boss.

"I've talked a little bit with the new gaffer," said the 20 year old winger, on loan from Manchester City after making his breakthrough with Melbourne City in the A-League.

"He seems like a really good guy. Obviously he's very passionate about the club. He asked me about my injury but I assume the football talk will come more when I'm closer to training with the boys."

And Arzani vowed to bring his X-Factor back to Celtic's games once he's fit again.

He added: "I don't know how to explain it - I'm a bit unpredictable.  Even I don't know sometimes what I'm going to do on the ball!

"I play off instinct."