Martin O’Neill shares encouraging Alistair Johnston news after Celtic injury scare

Alistair Johnston’s latest injury has given Celtic another problem to deal with, but Martin O’Neill has offered some hope that the Canadian won’t be facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Johnston’s return against Hibs on Sunday lasted just 21 minutes before he was forced off during Celtic’s 2-1 victory at Easter Road.

The defender had only just returned after almost three months out, and O’Neill expressed concern about the injury immediately after the game.

The Celtic manager has now spoken again about Johnston’s condition and whether his latest setback could be serious.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, O’Neill was asked whether Johnston had avoided another serious injury.

“That’s what we’re hoping for, really,” the Celtic manager replied.

“Naturally, a disappointment, really, because even the length of time that he was on the field, which was not long, he looked commanding again.

“He’s been a big miss and he’s been a big miss last season as well too to the team, even though we eventually got through essentially without his services for long periods of time.

“Of course, Carter-Vickers has missed the whole season.

“But back to Alistair, yeah, we’re hoping that it’s not as serious, you know. And so the medical team are pretty happy with it.”

O’Neill said on Tuesday that Johnston’s scan showed a problem with a different hamstring muscle from the one that kept him out earlier in the season.

The Celtic manager expects a shorter absence this time but has indicated that Johnston is unlikely to return before November’s international break.

Colby Donovan continued at right-back in Johnston’s absence, having filled the position during the Canadian’s previous spell on the sidelines.

Johnston has already missed a substantial part of the campaign, and Celtic will now have to manage without him for at least another few weeks.