Alistair Johnston has opened up on his hamstring injury recovery, and it gives Celtic fans a rare insight into how the popular right-back was taken aback with the process.
Johnston has been working through a hamstring injury at Celtic and that has kept him out at a key stage of the season. His latest comments offer a direct look at what that process actually involves.
The Hoops defender is now approaching the final stage of his recovery and the timing couldn’t be more perfect with Celtic still in the hunt to defend the title and potentially win the Scottish Cup.
When Alistair Johnston returns to fitness, would you pick him over Julian Araujo?
Alistair Johnston explains Celtic injury reality fans do not see
The Celtic defender was called into the Canada squad despite his recovery from the injury not 100% complete. And in Johnston’s recent debut as a pundit on TSN, the Hoops hero opened up on how his hamstring injury was nothing like he’s ever experienced before.
Johnston told TSN: “No, it’s come a long way but again I’ve learned through the hard way that a hamstring is a really finicky injury.
“I would take up broken bone over it every day of the year. You know, with bones breaks like that it really is just a pain barrier thing.
“And I haven’t ever really struggled with that. But with this you get to feeling about 90% so quickly but then you’re talking to your physios and the surgeon and he’s saying, ‘Yeah, you still got 3 months more to go.’ And it’s like, ‘Wow, how is that possible?’ But that’s just what it is.”
Johnston makes it clear that players can feel close to full fitness while still being months away from returning. That gap between feeling ready and actually being ready defines muscle injuries at this level.
This is the part supporters rarely see. The return from this type of injury is clearly not built on how a player feels, it is built on risk.
Alistair Johnston’s ‘frustration’ with Celtic injury
While Celtic’s results on the pitch suffered without Johnston in the team, the Canadian reveals how his injury rehab left him feeling extremely frustrated.
Johnston continues: “All it takes is one wrong step and it can just go again. And that’s the frustrating part with muscles.
“But thankfully, I’m getting close. You know, I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m just hoping that it’s not another oncoming train.”
That risk alone explains why there is no shortcut here. One setback would not just delay his return, it would reset it.
Johnston adds: “But I’m definitely into that final stage of the rehab now. And it’s perfect timing. I mean, we’re at the tail end now of our European season.
“Still got a lot to play for with Celtic and obviously a home World Cup coming down the pipeline here real quick, which is going to be really special.”
Celtic are entering an extremely important part of the season. The top-six split is nearing and to close the five-point gap to Hearts, having Johnston available matters, but having him fully ready matters more.
Johnston’s words remove any doubt about the demands of recovery a hamstring injury needs. The reality is simple, feeling ready is not the same as being ready, and Celtic fans will be delighted he is so close to a full recovery.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
