Celtic's strongest XI if everyone was fit as three key returns show what Hoops have lost amid new injury blow

Celtic have not had their troubles to seek this season and one of the key factors in a difficult campaign has been injuries.

Martin O’Neill’s side are back in Premiership action this weekend versus Dundee and are looking to bounce back from defeat versus city rivals United last time out. That Premiership defeat has left Celtic third and five points off leaders Hearts with more bad injury news hitting them over the international break.

It’s been claimed that Bournemouth loanee Julian Araujo could miss most of the rest of this season through a thigh injury after the right-back was absent from recent clashes versus Motherwell and Dundee United. That injury to the right-back is just one of a number of major fitness blows to hit the club this season under Brendan Rodgers, Wilfried Nancy and now O’Neill. So what would their best XI look like if everyone was fully fit, and how could that have impacted their campaign? We take a look at what could have been for the current manager.

GK - Viljami Sinisalo

The deputy has had to step up after a possible career-ending shoulder problem for experienced number one Kasper Schmeichel. That said, the Dane’s performances even before that were under the microscope, and the former Aston Villa stopper has shone since coming into the role. A strong argument for him getting the nod even if both were fully fit.

RB - Alistair Johnston

An area where Celtic could have so much depth yet have been decimated. Araujo was brought in during January to cover for Canadian international Johnston, who’s season has been derailed by a hamstring issue. He’s aiming to be back for the post-split fixtures but with Colby Donovan pulling out the Scotland U21s squad, O’Neill may turn to Anthony Ralston in the interim. Johnston is a big voice on and off the pitch and his influence could have been key, particularly in the Nancy era, who’s style he knew from time in the MLS.

CB - Cameron Carter-Vickers

American international is a rock when fit but injury issues have started to creep in and the blow he picked up in October has put him out for most of the term. Has played 13 games overall and his term is done after Achilles surgery in the winter. It’s contributed to chopping and changing in defence which has unsteadied the backline.

CB - Liam Scales

Irishman has had to step up big style this season to a leadership role in central defence. Came out the team briefly in the Nancy era but has been one of the club’s more reliable performers this season overall.

LB - Kieran Tierney

There were fitness fears when Tierney returned to Celtic after an injury-hit time at Arsenal but while 90 minute performances haven’t been in huge supply, he’s maintained fitness all season to play 44 times with five goals and 11 assists. Impressive numbers.

CDM - Callum McGregor

Missed a recent Old Firm with injury amid concerns over the load that the captain is still taking on at 32, turning 33 in June. Performances have been questioned at times but very much the leader of this Celtic team still.

CM - Arne Engels

Watched a big money move to Nottingham Forest collapse in the winter and has since missed weeks of action with injury. His big price tag from moving to Celtic after time at Augsburg has raised expectation but lack of physicality in midfield has become apparent without him in there.

CM - Benjamin Nygren

Perhaps controversial to leave Reo Hatate out but the Swede has been Celtic’s go-to man for goals, even if overall play leaves a bit to be desired. His output in front of the net through 19 goals and seven assist makes him an obvious starter.

RW - Jota

Portuguese trickster suffered a serious knee injury last season and it looks set to ensure he misses the entirety of this season. Celtic have missed the X-factor he brings in attack, and alongside Carter-Vickers and Johnston, has been a huge figure the team have missed for all or most of the season. Having the trio fit for even half the campaign could have made a major difference.

ST - Kelechi Iheanacho

Striker is where Celtic have had real issues and Iheanacho has shown flashes that he could be a talismanic figure if the circumstances were right. That said, he came in as a free agent after the summer window, and looks to have been playing fitness catch-up ever since. Clearly has top quality from time at the likes of Leicester but hasn’t been able to get going for more than a couple of games in Glasgow.

LW - Daizen Maeda

Form has dropped off since last season but Maeda is still a key driving force of the Celtic attack. How long he remains that is another question but speed in behind is still a huge threat.

Substitutes: Schmeichel, Trusty, Saracchi, Araujo, Hatate, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Tounekti, Cvancara, Osmand

A few additions to the starting core and the bench looks so much stronger. Striker Callum Osmand has missed most of the term after showing early promise in O’Neill’s first caretaker stint while Hatate, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Tounekti and Saracchi have all shown their quality at various stages. It leaves the likes of club hero James Forrest plus winter arrivals Junior Adamu and Joel Mvuka out in the cold, with the latter pair not up to much since joining Celtic in February. Luke McCowan, Ralston and Ross Doohan drop off the bench that was named vs Dundee United.