Alistair Johnston: Martin O’Neill will be furious as Celtic stars jets out on international duty
Alistair Johnston has been sidelined for Celtic since their Europa League clash against Sturm Graz in October.
The 27-year-old full-back has been working his way back to full fitness ever since, having suffered a hamstring injury against the Austrian side.
His setback even triggered the Hoops to sign Julian Araujo on loan from Bournemouth, only for the Mexico international to suffer an injury of his own, just in time for Johnston’s return.
Celtic’s injury list has increased throughout the 2025-26 campaign, and the last thing that Martin O’Neill needs is another addition to the ever-growing queue out of the club’s treatment room.
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Get the latest from the Lennoxtown treatment table, including injury updates, scan results and return dates for the first-team squad.
VISIT THE CELTIC INJURY HUBAlistair Johnston could now return unfit to Celtic
With a two-week international break, Johnston has plenty of time to get his fitness up, with the Hoops still very much in the Scottish Premiership title race, and Dundee up next.
However, the 27-year-old has been called up to the Canada national team instead by Jesse Marsch, who revealed that he would include injured players ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
That would be fair enough, but new images and footage have shown the right-back being a full participant in training, potentially putting himself at risk before returning to Celtic Park.
| Alistair Johnston’s injuries | Season | Games missed (club and country) |
| Hamstring | 2025-26 | 45 |
| Ankle | 2023-24 | 3 |
| Ankle | 2022-23 | 8 |
O’Neill has already admitted that he would rather Johnston had stayed at Lennoxtown over the international break, with the club needing him to be fully fit to return.
Martin O’Neill may have already found Johnston’s replacement
If Johnston fails to get his priorities in order, especially after the club have nursed him back to full fitness, O’Neill may already have a like-for-like replacement ahead of the summer.
Football Insider understands that Bournemouth are open to selling Araujo, and with the 24-year-old impressing in his early stages at Celtic Park, a permanent move would make sense.
The loanee even has a goal in his first 13 appearances, helping the Hoops to a 3-2 win over Kilmarnock, and he has quickly become a much-loved figure amongst the fanbase.
Whatever happens, it is likely that the squad will undergo a total rebuild this summer, and while Johnston has been a loyal servant to the club, this situation has put a target on his back.
Target: Elijah Just (Motherwell)
Long-term: Carter-Vickers out
League Pos: 2nd (61 pts)
Status: Summer Talks Underway
Revenue: £143.6m (2025)