PAISLEY, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Celtic Interim Manager Martin O'Neill during a William Hill Premiership match between St Mirren and Celtic at the SMiSA Stadium, on November 22, 2025, in Paisley, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Martin O’Neill has given guarded updates on the fitness of three Celtic absentees.
With the January signings other than Julian Araujo making little impact on the team fans are looking elsewhere for reinforcements.
It is accurate to say that Celtic have been without three top players for the vast majority of the season.
Even with the form of Araujo, Alistair Johnston would walk straight into the defence. There is no right sided central defender comparable to Cameron Carter-Vickers.
In attack Jota is clearly the best winger at the club.
O’NEILL ON THE CELTIC WINGERS
Since he left in July 2023 Celtic have signed Marco Tilio, Luis Palma, Yang Hyun-jun and Joel Mvuka. Only Yang gets any worthwhile playing time, a fit Jota walks straight into the Celtic side.
After speaking to broadcasters O’Neill held a separate media conference for newspapers during which the subject of injuries was brought up.
First up the hoops boss spoke about Johnston with the Celtic Way reporting:
Back then, we were thinking around the end of March, so it’s this particular month. Now, sometimes the updates vary a little bit.
Both he and little Callum Osmand, they’ve had a couple of little setbacks, you know, just along in terms of their recuperation.
So nothing major, nothing, but just little setbacks that take you back another 10 days or something like that. So the answer is that I’d be hoping that if we are still in contention, that he (Johnston) would be there for maybe the split or something like that.
On Iheanacho, O’Neill added:
I think he’s got a good ability to hold it up. It’s just in terms of full fitness and things, that’s a bit of a concern.
There was no information offered on Carter-Vickers or Jota which suggests that nether will be involved this season.
Another injury issue is Arne Engels who suffered a muscle injury in the home win over Livingston on February 11.
Celtic are away to Dundee United on March 22 followed by an international break then a trip to Dens Park on April 5.
Engels should be back for one of those matches.
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Just WTF is going on with Jota?
Initially December/January return and now nothing?
Supporters need to be given a lot more information.
I do realise we need to keep all the ‘others’ like mushrooms but we need to know at least something!?
Cryptic’s fine, MON and Brendan are masters of it but we need to know SOMETHING!
Example: “Jota’s not quite there yet but, hopefully, soon.”
Then he’s in the next match-day squad, kinda thing.
Another fu**in one tonight in Dane Murray…
Are we actually fu**in cursed !