It is safe to say that Celtic needed the win against Sturm Graz badly. It was not a comfortable one by any means. The Hoops went down early in the game and could find the back of the net in the first half. And most fans would have thought that this match was headed for another defeat for Brendan Rodgers' struggling team.
They did manage to turn it around after the break. Goals from Benjamin Nygren and Liam Scales put them ahead. Then the visitors picked up a red card and the Hoops were able to hold on for the win.
It was not all positive for Celtic coming out of the match though. Both Kelechi Iheanacho and Alistair Johnston had to be taken off in the first half due to injuries. And then, it looked like Cameron Carter-Vickers was struggling badly towards the end of the match. He remained down on the ground, even after the final whistle went.
So, the win might come as a boost for Celtic for sure. But what long-term price are they about to pay for these injuries?
Worrying Celtic news confirmed after win against Sturm Graz
Rodgers has provided an update on the triple injury situation for Celtic. And it does not make for good reading. As reported by The Herald, the manager said on TNT Sports:
"Yeah, well our problem was second half we could only make one substitution. So obviously Cam was struggling towards the end but we couldn't give them off because we'd already made the subs, obviously got your three moments to to make the subs in the game.
"The first two (Iheanacho and Johnstn) doesn't look great. It looks like hamstring but but look, that's what happens."
To be fair, there is not much that could have been done when it comes to the injuries picked up by Iheanacho and Carter-Vickers on the night. That being said, the one for Johnston was easily avoidable.
He should have been never starting this match. He had been out injured for months and should have been eased back into action. It was a panic decision on the part of Rodgers.