Alistair Johnston looks set to miss the start of the season for Celtic a report from The Sun has claimed.
The Celtic right-back suffered a foot injury in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers in April of this year. The Canadian had seemed to have made a full recovery after appearing in the final against Inverness Caley Thistle.
67 Hail Hail told how he then went on to represent Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League Final against the USA. A post-match report from the Canadian Premier League website hinted that the Celtic favourite looked as if he was still suffering from the same injury.
Johnston was eventually left out of Canada’s final international fixture of the summer to allow him time to recover.
And after not featuring in any pre-season training to date, it seems now, that the injury is still lingering as Johnston now looks like he is destined to miss the start of Celtic’s defence of the Treble.
THE KEY CELTIC FIXTURES ALISTAIR JOHNSTON COULD MISS
Celtic will kick off the defence of the league against Ross County at Celtic Park on the 5th of August. They will then travel to Pittodrie for a tough away fixture the following Sunday against an Aberdeen side that were resurgent under new manager, Barry Robson.
After that, Celtic’s defence of the Viaplay Cup begins when they enter the draw for the last sixteen alongside Hearts, Rangers, Aberdeen and Hibs.
Whoever Celtic are drawn against, the fixtures are due to be played on the 19th/20th of August which means Johnston could potentially miss out on another huge game. [SPFL]
Following that up is a home SPFL fixture against St Johnstone on the 26th of August. You would have to hope that, by then, Johnston would be ready to return to first-team action. Because we will need him fully fit and ready for what’s coming next.
A trip to Ibrox beckons in the first Glasgow Derby of the season to face Michael Beale’s Rangers. Celtic will be hoping that they can lay down a marker against a new-look Rangers side who have been very active in the transfer market this summer.
Thankfully, Celtic’s participation in the Champions League doesn’t begin until the 19th/20th of September when the group stage football kicks off. [UEFA]
But as I said, with a full summer of recuperation under his belt and the excellent Celtic medical team behind him, Celtic fans will be hoping that the Canada fullback will be back and raring to go sooner rather than later.
In other news, Why Celtic must forget about a loan move for former fans favourite
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