Brendan Rodgers has addressed an injury concern for Celtic heading into the weekend.
The Hoops battered Motherwell this afternoon at Parkhead in a 4-0 masterclass where it could have been more.
The visitors failed to register a single shot on target as the defence kept the door locked at the back.
It was Anthony Ralston who played at right-back with Canadian international Alistair Johnston posted missing due to an issue which meant he had to sit out.
The Celtic manager was asked by BBC Sportsound’s Kheredine Idessane whether or not he expects Johnston to be back and raring to go for the Sunday afternoon fixture at home to St Johnstone.
And it was a positive update from the gaffer who actually explained the 26-year-old would have been available for today’s win.
He just was not risked as a precaution to avoid any flare ups with Rangers in the Glasgow derby around the corner on January 2.
What Rodgers said about Alistair Johnston’s fitness chances
Speaking to the Beeb, Rodgers said: “Yeah, he should hopefully be okay (for the weekend).
“He was close for today but we just left it. Tony has come in and done a great job for us.
“Ali has been improving each day and we just want him to do more work and then hopefully be okay for the weekend.”
Arne Engels gave the hosts the lead in the game from the penalty spot and then admitted any Celtic player could have taken the spot-kick as the squad have been practicing with the Premier Sports Cup Final win showing that.
How Celtic beat Motherwell in 4-0 mauling
It was Daizen Maeda who made it 2-0 with a diving header inside the six-yard box from a corner after the restart and then substitute Nicolas Kuhn added to his excellent stats with the third.
Fellow sub Reo Hatate would make it 4-0 with nine minutes left on the clock to make it a comfortable win for the Hoops.
In the aftermath of the action, manager Rodgers insisted he wanted attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window.
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