'Haven't made my mind up' - Martin O'Neill addresses Celtic No.1 headache and plan to delay Rangers team selection

Martin O’Neill has refused to confirm whether Sam Johnstone will retain his place in goal for Celtic’s huge Premier Sports League Cup quarter-final tie against Rangers at Ibrox this weekend.

The experienced former England international was handed an opportunity to impress for the first time against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday night after arriving on a season-long loan from Premier League side Wolves, but O’Neill insists he has yet to decide who will be his first-choice option between the posts.

Johnstone’s debut clean sheet created a positive impression on the 74-year-old Hoops boos, who stressed the importance of giving the shot-stopper an opportunity to demonstrate his ability rather than relying on his reputation from earlier in his career.

Celtic have relied heavily on Viljami Sinisalo between the sticks in recent months following the decision of Kasper Schmeichel to announce his retirement due to a shoulder injury. Johnstone’s arrival at Parkhead provides much-needed competition for the Finnish keeper, but a decision has yet to be made on who will don the gloves against Rangers.

“I haven't made my mind up at all,” O’Neill said when asked if Johnstone was now his No.1 and whether he would start at the weekend. “I thought Sam did very well (against St Johnstone). It was a matter of we need to get a look at what he can do.

“I think it's great to have the two of them. I think Viljami Sinisalo has done exceptionally well for us. And it was just, again, an opportunity to see what Sam can do now, what he could do a couple of years ago was fantastic, what he can do now might be a totally different picture.”

Martin O’Neill issues Celtic fitness update

Meanwhile, O’Neill has confirmed he expects German midfielder Mika Baur to be available for Sunday's clash despite suffering an injury scare. The former Paderborn star and St Johnstone match-winner was absent from training at Lennoxtown on Friday, sparking fears that he could miss the first derby of the season.

However, O'Neill is confident Baur to make a full recovery and is scheduled to train on Saturday as he looks to shake off a minor issue, which will be his first taste of the fixture.

“No, he's fine,” O’Neill stated. “He is actually fine. He's just picked up a bit of a knock, but he'll be available to train tomorrow. And, yeah, he's okay.”

Celtic have other midfield options to call on should Baur not be passed fit in time for kick-off, including Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and summer signing Oliver Sorensen, who has yet to make a significant impact since arriving on loan from Serie A outfit Parma.

“Yeah, we're getting there,” O’Neill added. “Sorensen started for us on Wednesday night and it's just a matter of getting to know the players. And the best way to know about them is to get them on the field, regardless of how well or how busy they are in training.”

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