Celtic’s Alistair Johnston to Miss Action Until October Due to Injury
Celtic full-back Alistair Johnston will remain sidelined until October, as confirmed by manager Martin O’Neill. The 27-year-old Canadian international exited at halftime during the second match of the season against Kilmarnock, having previously endured a long recovery from a hamstring injury.
Recent scans have indicated that Johnston will need more time away from the pitch. “There was definitely something there, and I think the prognosis is really that it will be some time in October for him,” O’Neill stated ahead of the Champions League play-off second leg against LASK.
Celtic has made improvements to their attacking lineup over the summer and is looking to strengthen their defensive options as well. O’Neill pointed out that with Kieran Tierney serving as the only left-sided full-back, adjustments may need to be considered. “We’ll have a little look,” he added, noting that he will focus on potential signings only after the upcoming match, regardless of its outcome.
With the transfer deadline approaching on September 3, O’Neill expressed hope in acquiring new players. He mentioned there were no updates regarding links to Ermin Mahmic of Slovan Liberec or Gvidas Gineitis from Torino.
Despite being informed weeks ago that the team had lost 14 players while only replacing two, O’Neill believes the situation has evened out. He explained that some departing players on loan were not expected to return, and the focus is now on sourcing a bit of quality to enhance the squad.
Colby Donovan, 19, has stepped up in Johnston’s absence, delivering strong performances, including a noteworthy display in the 3-0 victory against LASK at Celtic Park. Additionally, Scotland international Anthony Ralston remains a viable option at right-back for O’Neill.
Celtic full-back Alistair Johnston will be out of action until October, manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed.
The Canada international, 27, went off at half time in the second game of the season against Kilmarnock, having missed most of the last campaign with a hamstring injury.
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Now a scan has revealed he faces another spell on the sidelines.
“There was definitely something there, and I think the prognosis is really that it will be some time in October for him,” said O’Neill prior to the Champions League play-off second leg away to LASK.
Celtic have bolstered their attacking options over the summer and been linked with a number of midfielders and O’Neill concedes the defensive area is one that needs strengthening.
“If you consider that Kieran (Tierney) is essentially our only left-sided full-back, we’ll have a little look,” he added.
“But I really will not concentrate on anything at all until after the game, regardless of what the result is or whichever competition we happen to be in.
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“We’ve got some days before the transfer deadline [3 September], and I hope that we will get some people in.”
O’Neill said there was nothing further to report on links with Ermin Mahmic of Slovan Liberec or Torino’s Gvidas Gineitis.
“I was told some weeks ago that we’d lost 14 players and we’d only replaced them with two at the time,” O’Neill continued.
“But I think the whole thing was balanced out. There were some of those players that we took on loan, that were going to be leaving anyway, weren’t going to be coming back. And it was a matter of trying to get a little bit of quality in.
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“I think that we could fill up the squad if you wanted to, with loads of names. But it was a bit of quality that we were looking for because that eventually would be, I think, of paramount importance between now and January.”
Colby Donovan, 19, has been deputising for Johnston, impressing in the 3-0 first leg win over LASK at Celtic Park, while Scotland international Anthony Ralston is another option for O’Neill at right-back.
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