Celtic provide Alistair Johnston fitness update as reason why injury comeback was cut short explained
The Canadian right-back lasted only 21 minutes on his return to action in Sunday’s 2-1 Premiership win over Hibs at Easter Road
Martin O’Neill admits Alistair Johnston’s latest injury setback would be a major blow for Celtic after the defender’s return to action was cut short during Sunday’s gritty 2-1 Premiership win over Hibs.
The Canada international stepped off the bench early in the second half at Easter Road but lasted only 21 minutes before being forced off again, raising fresh concerns over his fitness after an extended spell on the sidelines.
O’Neill revealed Johnston had felt discomfort around the top of his hamstring, although the Hoops manager is hopeful the problem could be slightly different from his previous injury.
What has Martin O’Neill said?
Asked to provide an update on Johnston’s condition, the 74-year-old revealed: “He felt something at the top of his hamstring, a wee bit higher than before, which might be encouraging, I don't know.
“We'll obviously have to wait to see the scans and things he gets here, which I assume he'll get either later tonight, perhaps maybe tomorrow, and we'll assess it.”
O’Neill admitted Johnston was understandably downbeat in the dressing room after his comeback was brought to an abrupt halt, adding: “Yeah, he's obviously disappointed there, 15, 20 minutes, and you saw, even in that little period of time, you saw what he's capable of doing, both defensively and getting forward.
“Yeah, it would be a big blow to him, a big blow to the club, if it's a hamstring injury. He thinks it might be, never know, it might be cramp. I genuinely don't know. That's coming from him.
“He's a terrific footballer, really terrific footballer, and we have missed him during that time. Colby Donovan has done exceptionally well, exceptionally well, better than anybody could have anticipated, I must admit.
“But Johnston, for him, really disappointing. If that's the case, if you have to go and do rehab again, that's the worry. And for us, the club, because we've been looking forward to him coming back now for the last couple of weeks.”
O’Neill hails ‘biggest win of the season’ in testing conditions
Camilo Duran took his tally for the season to 10 goals as Celtic came from behind to defeat the struggling Hibees in Leith, a result that saw the champions re-establish their four-point advantage at the top of the table after second-placed Rangers ran out 4-0 winners over St Johnstone on Saturday.
Owen Elding had fired Hibs into an early lead after Joe Newell caught the visitors asleep with a quickly taken free-kick. But Celtic responded almost immediately, with Jason Kerr turning a corner from Benjamin Nygren into his own net just two minutes later.
Hibs had a golden chance to regain the lead when Thibaut Klidje lifted his lobbed effort over the bar. And the hosts were punished moments later as Duran pounced on a loose ball near the edge of the box, cutting inside before sweeping a devastating finish into the far corner.
“The performance wasn't that fantastic,” O’Neill declared post-match. “The blustery conditions probably didn't help, we didn't play great, but to me, I thought it was our best win of the season, considering the circumstances.
“Coming here, it doesn't matter where Hibs are placed in the league, it's always been difficult. The blustery conditions didn't help either side. Then to come from a goal behind, to win the game, and get the block towards the end as well, to see the three points through. So I thought it was our best win of the season, seriously.”