Celtic suffer yet another injury blow

Colby Donovan is the latest Celtic right-back to be struck by injury.

According to a report in The Herald/ The Celtic Way the young defender has been sent for scans on a knee injury.

Donovan has been substituted in Celtic’s last two matches and appears to be a major doubt for Saturday’s match at home to St Mirren in the SPFL.

With Julian Araujo and Alistair Johnston both out with no known return dates Tony Ralston is the last right-back standing at the club.

The Donovan situation is another puzzling injury situation in a season of many.

CELTIC AND THE INJURY JINX

Live on TV Kasper Schmeichel announced that he had been playing with a shoulder issue that would rule him out for at least 12 months.

Last week Johnston returned from international duty reporting a set-back on his long running hamstring issue.

Donovan suffered a knee injury at Tannadice and was substituted in the 62nd minute. He lasted until the 67th minute against Dundee before being replaced by Ralston.

Being down to having just one available right-back could force Martin O’Neill into a change of formation.

Dane Murray and Ben Arthur provide an option to play three at the back. Not the sort of back three that brings back memories of Wilfried Nancy.

The Frenchman went with one centre-back and two full-backs. Three centre-backs would be entirely different, almost a throw-back to O’Neill’s teams at the turn of the century.

Johan Mjallby, Bobo Balde and Joos Valgaeren were central to a highly successful period for the club.

The current crop aren’t of the same calibre but needs must in the case of not having two right-backs.

Another option would be to play Kieran Tierney or Marcelo Saracchi at right-back. Both are left footed but have experience of playing on the right.

An update on Donovan is likely to be given by O’Neill on Friday as he previews the match with St Mirren. Fans will also be hoping for positive news on Arne Engels.