Long-term absentee Alistair Johnston is back in training with Celtic as Martin O’Neill revealed injured mortgage defender Julian Araujo may have played his last game for the membership.
Canada right-back Johnston has been out since October with a hamstring damage but joined his team-mates on the membership’s Lennoxtown training complicated forward of the house Scottish Premiership game in opposition to St Mirren on Saturday.
Mexico worldwide Araujo had returned to mum or dad membership Bournemouth to get better from a thigh drawback – which has stored 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,” stated Celtic boss O’Neill.
“I do not assume he felt any ailing results. He joined in earlier than after which he went and re-injured himself with the nationwide aspect, but he’s popping out properly now so we would want him actually, as quickly as attainable.
“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 have been scheduled to play leaders Hearts at house on the ultimate day of the season
On Araujo, who grew to become a followers’ favorite in his 13 appearances for Celtic, O’Neill stated: “Julian re-injured himself beneath supervision at Bournemouth in order that was an actual blow.
“I’ve only found that out today so I don’t think we will see him for the rest of the season.
“I do not know what kind of time factor it’s for his World Cup aspirations but definitely for us, I do not assume we are going to see him once more if it is the identical damage 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 properly”.
Colby Donovan picked up an damage in Celtic’s win at Dundee
O’Neill was happy 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 circumstances have been met because the Hoops proceed their chase of Hearts and Rangers on the high of the desk.
Hearts prepared the ground with 67 factors, yet another than Rangers and three forward of reigning champions Celtic.
O’Neill stated: “The safety regulations have been sorted and that would give us a boost, absolutely.
“The help may be very robust, it is nice and I would love if that was the case, simply to park issues now and let’s have a look at what the summer season 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 video games working out, that isn’t a foul place to be in. It may go any method. I genuinely would not know.”
Initial post-split video games to be proven dwell 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
