Celtic's Alistair Johnston Faces Injury Setback Again, Says Martin O'Neill

Celtic's clash at Easter Road saw Alistair Johnston's return cut short once more, leaving manager Martin O'Neill with concerns over the right-back's fitness. The 28-year-old, who has battled hamstring issues throughout the previous season, made a brief cameo from the bench but lasted only 21 minutes before being replaced by Cameron Carter-Vickers. "He felt something again," O'Neill told BBC Scotland, expressing uncertainty about Johnston's condition. With a history of hamstring problems, any slight discomfort raises alarms. "He’s not sure, and neither is the doctor right now. He’ll need a scan to determine the next steps," O'Neill added. On a brighter note, O'Neill was pleased to see Cameron Carter-Vickers back on the pitch, playing the last 17 minutes after his own injury layoff since mid-September. "We need every player fit as we head into a busy schedule," O'Neill stated. "It’s fantastic to have key players returning to the squad." In the match itself, Celtic clinched a narrow 2-1 victory over Hibernian, restoring their four-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Camilo Duran's late winner followed Jason Kerr’s equalizer as the Hoops bounced back from a disappointing Europa League defeat to Celta Vigo just days prior. O'Neill reflected on the win, saying, "I’m absolutely delighted with it. Given the conditions and the circumstances, this was our best win of the season, despite not playing our best football." He expressed relief that they quickly responded after conceding, stating, "It’s always tough at Easter Road, even under good conditions. We navigated the challenges well today."