Martin O'Neill issues Celtic injury update timeline as recurring nightmare for star extends
Hoops star suffered an injury setback at Hibs on Sunday
Celtic boss Martin O’Neill confirmed defender Alistair Johnston is unlikely to feature again before the international break after suffering another hamstring injury.
The 28-year old came on for Colby Donovan in Celtic’s 2-1 win over Hibs on Sunday - but was replaced himself 20 minutes later for Cameron Carter-Vickers. O’Neill confirmed after the game he was feeling his hamstring again. The 20-minute cameo at Easter Road was Johnston’s first time back on the grass since he suffered a similar injury against Kilmarnock in August.
The Canada international - who also missed the majority of last season through a hamstring issue - is now unlikely to feature again for the Hoops until after the next international break, which starts on November 9. This would mean he’d miss four upcoming home clashes against Dundee United, Besiktas and Kilmarnock, as well as a trip to Falkirk.
O’Neill confirms Johnston timeline
Speaking ahead of Celtic’s Wednesday clash against the Tangerines, O’Neill said: “Alistair got a scan on Monday night and the results are not too bad. It’s not the same injury. There are three muscles in the hamstring and it’s one of those, but it will be shorter-term for him.
“He believes that and so does the medical team. I can’t see him being involved before the international break but he will be after it. That is what we are thinking. Alistair has had no luck. Even in the spell he was on, he looked really commanding and a real player. But he’s very philosophical about the whole thing and is taking it in his stride. He is really happy with what the scan has shown.”
Why was Johnston brought on against Hibs?
Having not been the first time Johnston has suffered an injury setback shortly after returning, the decision to bring him on in the capital has led to questions over the medical staff. However, O’Neill claims he was forced into the change as stand-in Donovan also picked up a knock. The veteran boss was actually hoping Johnston remained an unused substitute at Easter Road.
He continued: “Alistair is aware of this but you don’t play matches just for the sake of someone coming back. We felt we could make give him 30 minutes of the HIbs game but that depended on circumstances. It was a tough game for us and in all honesty, if Colby Donovan hadn’t been injured at the time, we wouldn’t have put Alistair on.
“He would have accepted that, even though he wanted the last 30. The circumstances dictated everything and Colby’s injury allowed us to put Alistair on. We will be careful with Alistair, absolutely. These are injuries he had never picked up until last season.”