Martin O'Neill has issued a triple injury update as Celtic prepare for their return to action after a long international break. The Bhoys have been sidelined for three weeks due to a newly extended international break.
Whether the break was well-timed or not might depend on how you see things, with Celtic losing three straight games before heading into the international window.
That sparked real panic, and there was even talk of O'Neill walking away, which we know will not be the case. But in some ways, the long break has helped defuse a concerning situation that was starting to gather momentum.
O'Neill has now broken his silence, confirming that he is staying at the club and is looking forward to the challenge, and it's an expert PR move from him.
Suddenly, there is interest in how Celtic will respond, and there will even be a little confidence that O'Neill can turn things around based on his newfound optimism. That wasn't there going into the break.
Crucially, Celtic are also on track to get Jota back from injury towards the end of this month, and before then, they will welcome back vital right-back Alistair Johnston and a backup striker in Callum Osmand.
Providing an update on all of those players, O'Neill said on CelticTV: "Jota had 45 minutes in a bounce game against Falkirk last Friday, and that was really good. I know it’s a cliched phrase, but that will definitely feel like a new player coming to the club, as far as I’m concerned.
"Alistair Johnson’s on the grass now and young Callum Osmand is doing the same as well, so that’s encouraging. The determination is there within the team, which is something hopefully that I can control. It’s there in abundance and I don’t think it ever leaves you. We have to come roaring back and really go for it, and that’s what we’re going to do."
Returnees will be a huge boost for Celtic
Jota can't be rushed back. Which version of him we get when he is back remains to be seen, but the Bhoys will want to be careful given the setbacks he has had coming back from a serious injury.
The Johnston return will be a huge one. Again, Celtic will have played it carefully due to it being a hamstring, but while Colby Donovan has largely done a good job, Johnston is at another level, and he will take the defence to a new level.
We don't know how big of a role Osmand will get, but the more hands available the better up top.
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