Long-term absentee Alistair Johnston is back in training with Celtic as Martin O’Neill revealed injured loan defender Julian Araujo could have played his last game for the club.
Canada right-back Johnston has been out since October with a hamstring injury but joined his team-mates at the club’s Lennoxtown training complex ahead of the home Scottish Premiership game against St Mirren on Saturday.
Mexico international Araujo had returned to parent club Bournemouth to recover from a thigh problem – which has kept him out for over a month – but has had a setback.
Alistair Johnston has been out since October
“He [Johnston] trained with the team today, which was very encouraging,” said Celtic boss O’Neill.
“I don’t think he felt any ill effects. He joined in before and then he went and re-injured himself with the national side, but he is coming out well now so we would need him really, as soon as possible.
“If he comes through today [Friday], a little bit of work that he did with the team and also the work he did on his own with the recuperative team, then next week would be hopefully a good week’s training for him and who knows?”
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Celtic boss Martin O’Neill has his say on the Scottish Premiership post-split fixtures after they were scheduled to play leaders Hearts at home on the final day of the season
On Araujo, who became a fans’ favourite in his 13 appearances for Celtic, O’Neill said: “Julian re-injured himself under supervision at Bournemouth so that was a real blow.
“I’ve only found that out today so I don’t think we will see him for the rest of the season.
“I don’t know what sort of time element it is for his World Cup aspirations but certainly for us, I don’t think we will see him again if it’s the same injury that he has redone.”
O’Neill confirmed right-back Colby Donovan would sit out Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury and could also miss the Scottish Cup tie against the Saints at Hampden Park on April 19 but was “recovering well”.
Colby Donovan picked up an injury in Celtic’s win at Dundee
O’Neill was pleased to see that the Green Brigade would back at in situ after a five-month ban was lifted.
The Hoops ultras group have been locked out of Celtic Park since October but their ban was lifted after three key conditions were met as the Hoops continue their chase of Hearts and Rangers at the top of the table.
Hearts lead the way with 67 points, one more than Rangers and three ahead of reigning champions Celtic.
O’Neill said: “The safety regulations have been sorted and that would give us a boost, absolutely.
“The support is very strong, it’s great and I would like if that was the case, just to park things now and let’s see what the summer brings.
“But in terms of support, in terms of vocal support, it’s great to see them back again.”
On the title race, O’Neill added: “I would still rather be in Hearts’ position just now.
“They are in the lead with games running out, that is not a bad position to be in. It could go any way. I genuinely wouldn’t know.”
Initial post-split games to be shown live on Sky Sports
- April 25: Celtic vs Falkirk, 5.30pm
- April 26: Hibernian vs Hearts, 4.30pm
- May 3: Hibernian vs Celtic, 12pm
- May 4: Hearts vs Rangers, 5.30pm
- May 9: Motherwell vs Hearts, 8pm
- May 10: Celtic vs Rangers, 12pm
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