O’Neill gives timeline on serious injury blow

Martin O’Neill has revealed that Arne Engels is looking at a six week absence as a result of his thigh injury.

Midway through the first half of the win over Livingston the midfielder pulled up while passing the ball.

There was no contact from an opponent, after treatment Engels was replaced by Reo Hatate.

After the excitement of the win at Kilmarnock O’Neill spoke to the media with the Celtic Way reporting the discussion on Engels:

QUESTION: Did you have any better prognosis on Arne Engels?

O’NEILL: He’ll be out to the international window. I don’t think, unless he does really, really well in recovery, I can’t see us having him before that finishes, which would be the end of March.

QUESTION: Hamstring?

O’NEILL: It’s his thigh, which is every bit as bad in that sense.

QUESTION: It’s a big loss for a tough period, isn’t it?

O’NEILL: It’s a big loss for us, absolutely. That’s why getting Alex in has been so crucial for us. He was class.

Celtic have three midweek fixtures coming up with the potential for more if they progress past Stuttgart in the Europa League.

O’NEILL FACES JUGGLING ACT

The fixtures are non-stop until Sunday March 22 when the hoops take on Dundee United at Tannadice. After an international break Celtic have two pre-split fixtures to play in the SPFL Premiership.

Engels will miss some very significant matches but could be returning fully fit at a critical time.

As O’Neill mentioned Alex (Oxlade-Chamberlain) could now be crucial with Celtic reduced in realistic midfield options.

Hatate was substituted at half-time yesterday. Luke McCowan hasn’t got off the bench in the last two matches with Paolo Bernardo failing to make the squad.

Oxlade-Chamberlain isn’t in the squad for the Europa League. Making the former England midfielder almost a must-pick for domestic matches.

In the Europa League the Celtic squad will be at full stretch in midfield providing O’Neill with another headache to juggle.

The transfer window left Celtic short in a couple of areas of the park with progress in the Europa League putting that in focus.

Only Callum McGregor, Ben Nygren and Hatate have featured recently with Hatate looking well short of his best.

The European stage may be more suited to the Japanese midfielder but there is no easy or obvious solution shouting at O’Neill.

So far the73-year-old has performed a series of minor miracles to keep Celtic in the hunt for three trophies.

More of the same will be required in the coming weeks- from reduced options.