Celtic full-back Johnston out until October
Quick summary
Celtic defender Alistair Johnston is ruled out until October due to injury, leaving a gap at right-back for the Scottish champions.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceCeltic full-back Alistair Johnston will be out of action until October, manager Martin O'Neill confirms.
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What happened
Celtic have been dealt an injury blow with full-back Alistair Johnston set to be sidelined until October. The right-back has been a regular for the Scottish champions, and his absence creates a defensive selection headache for the manager heading into the early part of the season, including any European qualifiers. The length of the layoff suggests a significant muscular or soft-tissue issue rather than a minor knock.
Chance analysis
Losing a first-choice full-back for the opening stretch of the season is exactly the kind of setback that tests squad depth, and Celtic will now have to find a stop-gap on the right side of their defence. With October still weeks away, the timeline matters: it likely covers the earliest rounds of any continental qualifiers and the opening run of league fixtures, meaning whoever deputises gets a prolonged audition.
Celtic lose their first-choice right-back for the start of the season, weakening defensive options until October.