Martin O’Neill has given an update on Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand for Celtic’s clash with St Mirren.
In the second of a double-header between the sides, they will face off for a place in May’s Scottish Cup final at Hampden.
It’s been a season of injuries for O’Neill, and the other managers to have occupied the Parkhead dugout this season.
And as the wait for an imminent update on Johnston and Osmand goes on, the Celtic boss has confirmed that this Sunday will be too soon for the pair.
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Martin O’Neill says St Mirren will be too soon for Celtic’s Callum Osmand and Alistair Johnston
O’Neill told the media when asked about Celtic’s fitness issues: “Well, I think it’s probably a bit too early now for Alistair Johnson, but he has trained, so that’s really good news.
“There’s no ill effect at this minute. And I know doing some little small-sided games is not the big game at all, but that’s really encouraging for him to come out.
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“And young Callum Osmand, he’s making progress as well too at the same time. So that’s really encouraging.
“I would have thought [that they’ll be looking more towards the league games], yeah, definitely.
“But as I say, Alistair has done really well. Callum came in, to my recollection, a couple of days later.
“I’ve just seen him out there, so it would be early for him. But I think that had not Alistair taken a setback in Canada, I think he would have been ready for now.
O’Neill was later asked about the possibility of Osmand being the solution to the team’s well-documented issues in the striker position.
He said: “Well, it’s a really good point.
“Yeah, he was coming off the bench in some of those matches and was making an impact, particularly in the semi-final, the cup semi-final against Rangers, and that was great news.
“And he was really building confidence as well to make the penalty, although we were well and truly second or third best against Midtjylland But he came on there, made the penalty, got in behind a couple of times and looked really sharp, and then picks up the injury.
“So I think over time, I think he’ll be a really decent player for us.”
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To date, Osmand has made just three appearances since signing for Celtic from Fulham last summer, under the watch of Paul Tisdale.
Johnston has just five appearances this season, and the team’s need for him has been increased after the confirmation that Julian Araujo’s season is over.
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