Alistair Johnston has delivered a positive injury update after his most recent setback. The defender's return was knocked back after he felt something in his final training session during the recent international break with Canada.
The Hoops were hoping to have him back for the split, and although that seems unlikely, he should be back sooner rather than later. He may miss the cup semi-final and the first game, but hopefully, he will be able to help out for the final three fixtures of the season.
He is getting closer to full fitness after spending months in recovery, and he has opened up about the struggles.
Speaking to RecordSport, he said: "It’s probably been the longest year of my life, and I’ve barely played any of the matches. It’s just been a constant revolving door.
"There’s so much just going on behind the scenes as well. The play on the pitch hasn’t been what we’ve come to expect as a player pool and what our fans have come to expect from a Celtic team.
"So that’s been frustrating. But at the same time, we’re still in a position where if we really put together a string of results here, we have a chance to still win the league and ideally win the Scottish Cup.
"The body’s feeling good. It’s been a long recovery, but that’s what a hamstring is. You’ve got to be smart with it. You’ve got to take the time and put in the hours. There are no shortcuts you can take with a hamstring."
Speaking about the recovery process, Johnston said: "It was definitely one of the most difficult days when I realised that I had re-injured my hamstring and I needed to get surgery.
"It was just really frustrating. It felt like it was so unnecessary, taking the risk when I did it. But at the end of the day, you move on quickly.
"But at the end of the day, I still am lucky. You get to go in six days a week, and I’ve got a physio who’s full-time with me, taking care of my every need and making sure that I come back stronger. I’m still getting paid.
"There’s definitely worse things, worse situations in the world, as frustrating as it was to not be able to go out there and help my teammates."
Johnston's return will be very welcome
Johnston will be back before the end of the season if all goes well, and it's going to be an amazing time when he is. Celtic are still in the title race, and they're going to need everyone they can get to help them out.
At right-back, Anthony Ralston is the only available option, with Colby Donovan set to return shortly. Fan favourite Julian Araujo has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign, and Johnston remains out for now.
Ralston started against St Mirren and didn't look out of place. He has often been on the receiving end of a lot of criticism, but he did well, and he will hopefully be able to give us a similar performance at Hampden on Sunday.
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