Interim Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has provided a full update on the club’s mounting injury list, addressing the status of several key players such as Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston, and Callum Osmand. Speaking to the media on Monday after the club’s AGM, O’Neill announced the severe setback that centre-back Carter-Vickers will be out for the remainder of the season.
He went on to reveal further information regarding Johnston and Osmand, both of whom had surgery shortly after Celtic’s 4-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Celtic Park before the international break.
At the club’s press conference, O’Neill stated that Johnston will require around four to five months of recuperation time. Despite having undergone the same treatment on the same day, Osmand’s damage was more severe, and he is likely to be out for approximately five months. “Obviously, Jota is unavailable as well,” O’Neill remarked. “I won’t have him back, and the same goes for those other lads.”
There was at least one positive report, with Marcelo Saracchi showing signs of improvement after being pulled off early in the win over Kilmarnock. “He’ll be out for a bit longer too, but he’s getting closer to a return,” O’Neill told me. “I’m hopeful that if some of them can’t make the Feyenoord match, they might be available for selection against Hibs — though we’ll see how things go.”
In more urgent team news, forward Kelechi Iheanacho has been ruled out of tonight’s Scottish Premiership match against St Mirren, as will James Forrest.
A win in Paisley would dramatically improve Celtic’s league position, reducing the gap to current leaders Hearts to four points ahead of the Edinburgh side’s game against Aberdeen at Pittodrie tomorrow.
Following tonight’s domestic match, Celtic will fly to Rotterdam to face Feyenoord in the Europa League on Thursday.
The Scottish champions must take at least one point from that encounter if they are to remain in contention for a top-24 finish and a spot in February’s knockout playoff round.
For the time being, however, attention is focused on St Mirren. Celtic face a stiff battle this evening and will need to put in a polished, disciplined display if they are to return to Glasgow with three crucial points.
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