Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed that right-back Alistair Johnston will be sidelined for at least two months, dealing the Hoops a significant blow as they push into the new season.
The Canadian international, who has become one of Celtic’s most consistent performers since joining the club, picked up an injury that will keep him out of action until October at the earliest. It is a major headache for O’Neill, who now has to reshape his defensive setup during one of the busiest periods of the football calendar.
Johnston has been a key figure at Celtic Park, known for his relentless energy going forward and his solid defensive work down the right flank. Losing him for two months means Celtic will need to find cover quickly, whether that comes from within the current squad or through transfer activity before the window closes.
The timing is far from ideal. Celtic are juggling domestic duties with European competition, and the depth of their squad will be tested heavily over the coming weeks. O’Neill will need reliable options at right-back, and whoever steps in will have big boots to fill.
Fans will be hoping Johnston can make a full recovery and return stronger, but for now the focus shifts to how Celtic adapt without one of their standout players. The squad has enough quality to cope, but consistency at right-back has been something Johnston provided almost every single week.
Celtic will be expected to continue challenging at the top of the Scottish Premiership regardless, but this is undoubtedly a setback that the management team could have done without heading into a packed fixture list.