Martin O’Neill Confirms Two Injured Stars Set for Shock Return as Celtic Push Towards Crucial Run-In
In a significant development that has lifted spirits around the club on Saturday, The manager has delivered encouraging news regarding the availability of two key squad members who have been sidelined for a considerable period. The confirmation comes just days after whispers circulated about a discreet behind-closed-doors fixture in which both individuals were believed to have featured, signalling that their long recoveries are finally nearing completion. With the campaign entering its decisive phase, the prospect of these players returning to competitive action could scarcely be timed better for a side that has been forced to navigate numerous absences throughout the year.
It has felt like an eternity since either player last pulled on the jersey in a meaningful fixture, and in truth the absence has stretched across many months of frustration for both the individuals concerned and the supporters who have watched the team battle through without them. Now, however, both are understood to be progressing well in their preparation for a return to the matchday squad. The manager addressed the matter directly when speaking ahead of Saturday’s fixture, offering a clear and upbeat assessment of their current status.
“Callum and Alistair have been a long, long time out,” he stated. “Callum is feeling much, much better with the week that he’s put in. Some days he hasn’t done anything, but he’s come through, and he’s been fine. Alistair Johnston is coming back. I’m hoping that he will be in the squad [for Saturday]. So that’s good news for us. Yeah, we’ve got… We’re getting stronger in that sense. Of course, we’ve missed the big players throughout the course of the year. But nothing can be done about that. But we’re looking forward to it. Let’s give it a go.”
The timing of Alistair Johnston’s potential availability is particularly welcome given recent developments in the defensive ranks. Julian Araujo sustained an injury last month that has limited options on the right-hand side of the back four. In his absence, Anthony Ralston has shouldered much of the responsibility at right-back, while young Colby Donovan has continued to manage ongoing fitness concerns of his own. The return of the experienced Canadian international therefore arrives at a moment when additional depth and reliability are urgently required. Johnston had originally been expected to resume playing earlier, yet a setback sustained while on international duty delayed that process. Thankfully the complication did not end his season, and he is now in a position to offer meaningful support during the remaining fixtures of the campaign.
Equally significant is the progress being made by Callum Osmand. With the attacking ranks having lacked a consistent and clinical presence for much of the season, the young forward now finds himself presented with a genuine opportunity to establish himself in the side. Prior to his injury, Osmand had begun to show encouraging signs in training and in limited appearances, suggesting he possessed the attributes to force his way into the starting eleven on a more regular basis. The timing of the setback proved unfortunate, interrupting what appeared to be a promising upward trajectory. His recovery, however, appears to have reached a stage where he can once again contribute at a critical juncture of the season.
The broader context of these returns cannot be overlooked. Celtic have had to contend with a succession of absences among established performers, forcing the coaching staff to reshuffle personnel and place greater reliance on younger or less experienced squad members. While the group has shown resilience in many matches, the absence of proven quality in key positions has occasionally been felt. The prospect of two senior players returning therefore represents more than simple numerical reinforcement; it offers the chance to restore balance, improve competition for places, and inject fresh energy into a dressing room that has been tested by the length of the campaign.
With only a limited number of fixtures remaining before the conclusion of the season, every available resource must be maximised. The forthcoming matches against Rangers and Hearts in particular carry substantial weight and could ultimately determine the trajectory of the campaign. In such high-stakes encounters the value of fully fit, experienced performers is difficult to overstate. Should Osmand be able to find the net in the intervening games and demonstrate that his sharpness has returned, there is every reason to believe he could be considered for a starting role when those pivotal fixtures arrive, fitness permitting. Likewise, Johnston’s ability to provide defensive solidity and attacking thrust from right-back would ease the burden on those who have filled the position in recent weeks.
The immediate priority will be to manage the reintegration process carefully. Both players have spent extended periods away from competitive football, and the coaching staff will be mindful of the need to build match fitness gradually rather than rush them back into the intensity of full matches. The early outings of the remaining schedule therefore offer an ideal platform for controlled minutes, allowing each individual to regain rhythm, confidence and physical conditioning without undue risk. Supporters will hope that the process unfolds smoothly and that both men are able to contribute meaningfully before the final whistle of the season is blown.
Beyond the pure footballing benefits, the psychological impact of these returns should not be underestimated. Long-term injuries can weigh heavily on a squad, creating a sense of attrition and forcing constant adaptation. The confirmation that two familiar faces are close to rejoining the group provides a tangible boost to morale and reinforces the belief that the squad is becoming stronger at precisely the moment when strength is most required. Players who have carried additional responsibility in the absence of their colleagues will also welcome the prospect of sharing the load once more.
For the supporters who have followed every twist of the injury list across the months, the news represents a long-awaited moment of encouragement. The rumour of a closed-doors outing had already sparked cautious optimism; the manager’s public confirmation has now given that optimism a firmer foundation. While no guarantees can be offered regarding the exact number of minutes either player will accumulate in the coming weeks, the mere fact that both are back in contention marks a clear step forward.
As the final stretch of the season unfolds, attention will inevitably turn to how these returning players are utilised and what impact they can make. The coaching staff will balance the need for immediate results against the longer-term goal of ensuring both men are as close to peak condition as possible for the most important remaining matches. In the meantime, the squad can take quiet satisfaction from the knowledge that its resources are expanding rather than contracting.
There remains work to be done on the training pitches and in the treatment rooms, yet the trajectory is positive. After months of waiting, the prospect of seeing two familiar figures once again involved in matchday preparations is a welcome one. The manager’s measured yet optimistic assessment suggests that the club is approaching the closing stages of the campaign with a greater sense of possibility than existed only a short time ago.
Welcome back to both players. It has been a long time coming, and the timing could hardly be more significant as Celtic prepare for the challenges that still lie ahead.
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