The Daily Record has provided a puzzling update on the injury suffered by Alastair Johnston away to Hibs on Saturday.
According to the Glasgow based publisher the Celtic medical staff don’t think that he suffered concussion but he will be assessed today (Monday).
Midway through the first half at Easter Road Johnston took the full force of the ball in his face from close range, unlike at a free-kick he wasn’t braced for the impact.
The defender was head down on the turf receiving treatment, sat up then was treated off the pitch before returning to action.
That lasted barely two minutes before he went down again, play was halted with Tony Ralston summoned to come on as a replacement.
There was nothing definite said after the match but late on Sunday night the Daily Record reported:
Alistair Johnston is not expected to miss out on the Saints clash despite taking a hefty blow to the head at Easter Road.
The Canada star was taken off as a precaution and will be assessed today. But medical staff do not think he suffered a concussion that would rule him out of this week’s action.
It seems quite a leap to say that Johnston will play on Wednesday before he is assessed today by the Celtic medics with a concussion still a possibility.
Head injuries are very carefully monitored these days. Sending Johnston back onto the pitch on Saturday was a mistake.
At a Hibs corner he was unable to jump towards the ball, that could have cost a goal, seconds later he had to go down before being substituted.
The protocols involved are unclear but the only issue that matters is the health and well-being of the player.
Couldn’t believe it when the sent him back on. Even on the tv you could see he was struggling.