Celtic: Martin O’Neill updates Alistair Johnston return timeframe after star suffers injury setback

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(Credit: Imago) Fri 17 April 2026 15:45, UK Celtic are set to be without right-back Alistair Johnston for their Scottish Cup semi-final clash with St Mirren on Sunday. 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.

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).🔊 LISTEN: “If Alistair had not taken a setback in Canada he would’ve been ready for now”.🍀 Martin O’Neill says Alistair Johnston still won’t be available for Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren on Sunday ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/KNHzeP80Q7— Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) April 17, 2026 View Tweet “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 favoursFootball 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.