Celtic: Martin O’Neill updates Alistair Johnston return timeframe after star suffers injury setback
Celtic are set to be without right-back Alistair Johnston for their Scottish Cup semi-final clash with St Mirren on Sunday.
The Canada international has been closing in on a long-awaited return to action for the Bhoys in recent weeks, after he returned to full training with his teammates at Lennoxtown.
Celtic fans have been desperate to see the 27-year-old come back into the fold after a hugely successful season last time out, but they will now have to wait a little while longer to see him in action again.
O’Neill confirmed in his pre-match press conference ahead of the St Mirren clash that Johnston suffered a “setback” during his time away with the Canadian national team at the end of March.
Johnston’s recovery at Celtic was briefly paused for him to travel and reunite with his international teammates, but his situation worsened without even playing a game during his time away from Parkhead.
🚨 Celtic Injury Update 🚨
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 be ready for first league-split fixture
Celtic will immediately turn their attention back towards their push to retain the Scottish Premiership title once their cup exploits are over and done with this weekend.
O’Neill’s men are heading into the league-split phase of the season four points adrift of Hearts at the top of the table, and they face Falkirk at home in their first of five more fixtures starting on 25 April.
| Stats | Alistair Johnston (2024-25) | Anthony Ralston (2025-26) | Colby Donovan (2025-26) |
| Apps (Starts) | 32 (30) | 20 (13) | 14 (7) |
| G/A | 14 | – | 2 |
| Chances Created per 90 | 1.64 | 0.68 | 0.87 |
| Successful Dribbles per 90 | 0.34 | 0.46 | 0.73 |
| Tackles per 90 | 1.61 | 2.2 | 2.62 |
| Duels Won per 90 | 3.9 | 6.3 | 6.4 |
The boss confirmed that they could be boosted by the return of Johnston for that clash, as he answered: “I would have thought so,” when asked if the defender would be available for that game during his presser.
The 74-year-old then went on to point out that while Johnston has trained with the team with no issues this week, the setback he sustained away from Celtic has knocked him back a little in terms of his return date.
“It’s a bit too early for Johnston,” O’Neill said in reference to this weekend’s cup semi-final.
“He has trained with us this week, and there are no ill effects at the minute. I know that small-sided games are not the big goal at all, but that’s really encouraging (for him).
“Alistair has done really well. Had he not taken a setback with Canada, then I think he would have been ready by now.”
Johnston return will do Colby Donovan no favours
Football Insider revealed at the end of March that Celtic will accept loan offers for Colby Donovan this summer, despite the youngster providing reliable cover at right-back this season.
O’Neill has regularly called upon the 19-year-old to step into the backline this term, and he has generally responded with some strong performances when his opportunities have arrived.
However, news of Johnston’s imminent return has surely just forced him once step closer to the exit door, given that the competition for places at right-back is about to get significantly stronger.
Johnston established himself as one of the Premiership’s leading stars in 2024-25, and while Donovan has already earmarked himself for a huge future at Celtic, he remains a way off being able to compete with a player of that calibre.
Target: Elijah Just (Motherwell)
Long-term: Carter-Vickers out
League Pos: 2nd (61 pts)
Status: Summer Talks Underway
Revenue: £143.6m (2025)