Celtic boss Martin O’Neill has delivered a fresh injury update ahead of Wednesday night’s Premiership clash with Dundee United.
The Bhoys face a relentless run of fixtures right now.
Regular Europa League commitments are combining with midweek league games to stretch the squad.
That demanding schedule continues into next week as well.
Two further matches are scheduled before the next international break arrives.
Celtic must therefore manage returning players with extreme care.
Recent events have underlined exactly why caution is essential.
Alistair Johnston returned on Sunday after nearly two months on the sidelines.
He lasted only 21 minutes before limping off once more.
The Canadian defender has now been ruled out for several additional weeks.
It represents another frustrating setback for both player and club.
Celtic will adopt a more cautious approach with all returning personnel from this point forward.
That careful strategy begins with summer signing Joel van den Berg.
The young midfielder is working his way back from an ankle injury sustained in training.
He is targeting a return to competitive action in the coming weeks.
O’Neill confirmed positive progress on that front during his pre-match media duties.
“That’s his first day today, training with us,” the Celtic manager revealed.
The comment immediately lifts the mood around Lennoxtown.
“So, it’ll be nice to see what he can do,” O’Neill continued.
Van den Berg arrived from PSV Eindhoven with a strong reputation as a box-to-box presence.
An early injury has delayed his integration into the first-team picture.
O’Neill is clearly keen to assess the 19-year-old properly now that he is back on the grass.
The manager also referenced another summer arrival in the same conversation.
“For the lads that we’ve brought in, obviously Landon is another player that we feel has definitely got potential,” he said.
Landon Emenalo has also been carefully managed since joining on loan.
“I can’t wait to see what he’s capable of doing over the course of the next few months,” O’Neill added.
Both young talents represent longer-term investments for the club.
Injury setbacks have slowed their early development at Celtic Park.
“But yeah, the injury has stopped him from doing that,” O’Neill noted of Van den Berg.
“This is his first day back.”
The simple statement carries genuine significance for supporters.
“But yeah, most things are looking up,” the manager concluded on that particular topic.
“But it’ll be nice to see how he can develop.”
Attention then turned to South Korean winger Yang Hyun-jun.
Yang has been managed with similar care after suffering a hamstring problem at the Asian Games.
He has been absent from the matchday squad for several weeks as a result.
O’Neill provided the clearest timeline yet on the wide man’s recovery.
“Yang is doing really well,” the Celtic boss confirmed.
“I think it’s next week that he will start training with us.”
The update will be warmly received by the Celtic support.
Yang’s pace and directness have been missed during his spell on the sidelines.
His return to full training next week would mark a significant step forward.
It remains unlikely he will feature immediately against Dundee United or Falkirk.
A possible return later in the Europa League campaign remains the more realistic target.
O’Neill also expanded on the broader philosophy now guiding the medical and coaching staff.
The club is determined not to rush any player back too soon.
“Yeah, of course,” he replied when asked about the more cautious approach.
“Listen, Alistair will be aware of this.”
The manager stressed that match minutes must serve a clear purpose.
“You don’t play the football matches just for the sake of someone coming back.”
The same principle applied to Cameron Carter-Vickers upon his recent return.
“It’s the same with Carter-Vickers coming back here with an injury.”
“We’re always concerned about hamstrings.”
Hamstring problems have become an unwelcome theme this season.
O’Neill explained the original plan for Johnston’s reintroduction against Hibernian.
“And the idea was that we could maybe give Alistair maybe 30 minutes of the game.”
“Alistair is well aware of this.”
Circumstances on the day ultimately forced a different decision.
“And in all honesty, if Colby had not been injured at the time, chances are we wouldn’t have put Alistair on.”
Colby Donovan’s own fitness issue created an unexpected opportunity.
“And he would have accepted that, even though in his mind he’s thinking that he’d get the last 30 minutes to get himself into it.”
“But the circumstance of the game dictated everything.”
The swirling wind and Hibernian’s attacking pressure added further complexity.
“And we were, swirling wind, Hibs pressing forward at the time.”
“So Colby being injured allowed us that opportunity.”
“But had he not been, I’m not so sure whether I would have put Alistair on at the time.”
The subsequent reshuffle also brought Carter-Vickers into the action earlier than planned.
“And similarly, obviously with the change then, and Dane going to right back, and in comes Carter-Vickers.”
“It was needs must for us at that time.”
O’Neill was clear that the same caution will now apply moving forward.
“So in terms of being careful with Alistair, yeah, absolutely.”
He drew on his own playing experience to illustrate the point.
“These are injuries that, up until last season, you’ve never picked up.”
“I’ve done it myself as a player.”
“You get a hamstring injury, you know, later in your career.”
“My first hamstring was when I was 28 or something.”
“You’re saying, what is this?”
“So, it is a concern.”
That personal insight helps explain the careful stance currently being taken.
Celtic cannot afford further setbacks with the fixture list remaining congested.
The Europa League campaign continues to demand energy and focus.
Domestic challenges also keep arriving in quick succession.
Van den Berg’s return to training offers a timely boost to midfield options.
His physical profile could prove useful once he builds full match fitness.
Yang’s anticipated return to group sessions next week is equally encouraging.
The winger’s ability to stretch defences has been a valued asset this season.
Both players will still need time to regain competitive sharpness.
O’Neill and his staff will monitor their progress closely over the coming days.
The priority remains avoiding any repeat of the Johnston situation.
Rushing players back has already cost the squad valuable availability.
A more measured approach should help protect the wider group through this busy period.
Supporters will hope both Yang and Van den Berg can contribute before the international break.
Even limited minutes would represent meaningful progress after their respective absences.
The manager’s comments suggest the medical team is satisfied with current recovery curves.
That positive outlook provides some optimism amid the ongoing fixture congestion.
Celtic must still navigate Wednesday’s meeting with Dundee United carefully.
Further selection decisions will follow for the subsequent games.
Every available body will be needed if the squad is to maintain performance levels.
O’Neill’s update at least confirms that two important absentees are moving in the right direction.
Yang’s return to training next week and Van den Berg’s first session today mark tangible steps forward.
The club will continue to prioritise long-term availability over short-term gains.
That philosophy was clearly articulated by the manager on Tuesday.
It is a stance shaped by recent experience and hard-earned lessons.
Hamstring issues in particular demand respect and patience.
O’Neill’s own playing career taught him that truth firsthand.
Celtic will now apply the same wisdom to the current group.
The coming weeks will reveal how successfully that cautious strategy can be implemented.
For now, the updates on Yang Hyun-jun and Joel van den Berg offer genuine encouragement.
Both players remain central to the squad’s medium-term plans.
Their gradual returns should strengthen Celtic’s options as the season progresses.
O’Neill will hope the careful approach prevents any further disruption in the weeks ahead.