Alistair Johnston was spotted in training on Friday at Lennoxtown, with the right-back thankfully back on the grass.
Johnston was set to return at the end of March, but sadly suffered a setback during his time with the Canadian national team. He didn't play, but on his final day of training, he picked something up.
Manager Martin O'Neill said on the incident: "Alistair has had a wee bit of a setback. He went away with the Canadian national side, was doing some running and had a bit of a setback on his final day of training, which was really disconcerting for us.
"In the wider scheme of things, for the length of time he’s been out, hopefully it’s not too bad. But it has delayed things a little bit here. We were hoping to have him in a couple of weeks, maybe having played some bounce games. That will just have to be parked and put to the side for the moment. It’s a shame."
With pictures released today, he seems to be on the correct path again. Just yesterday, he spoke out about a potential timeline for his return, and although it was World Cup-focused, it still offered Hoops fans some hope.
He said to On Guard: "Look, it’s sport. Injuries do happen. I think we’ve been really unlucky this year. If you look at the silver lining, there’s a chance we’re all back and potentially fresh [for the World Cup].
"Jonathan David is the only one who might be indestructible. But you look at Alphonso Davies, myself, Stephen Eustaquio, Derek Cornelius, he’s played quite a bit, and Moise Bombito, he’s played a ton. These guys are massive players for us, and they help.
"A home World Cup doesn’t come around very often at all. It’s a bucket list. It’s a dream. When you’re so close to realising it, you just want to make sure that you’re doing everything physically possible to make sure that you’re on that team.
"At the end of the day, you want to be going to a World Cup with the strongest team possible. We know that if we’re fully fit, we’re a really good team. I know that everyone is doing everything in their power to be fit for this World Cup."
Johnston is looking to the World Cup, but the title race isn't over
The title race is not over, and although Johnston will be eager to prepare for the World Cup, he'll be well aware that he still has a part to play this season.
Celtic currently sit third in the Scottish Premiership, only three points away from Hearts in the top spot. It's going to be exciting yet intense, and with Anthony Ralston the only available right-back, Johnston couldn't be back quick enough.
Colby Donovan and Julian Araujo both remain injured, with the latter seemingly out for the rest of the season. Hopefully others can step up, because for the title run-in, we are going to need everyone that we can get.