Colby Donovan and Arne Engels injury updates
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 03: Colby Donovan laughs during a Celtic training session at the Lennoxtown Training Centre, on April 03, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Colby Donovan appeared to be in good spirits as Celtic trained at Lennoxtown this morning.
The defender suffered what looked like a nasty knee injury during the defeat to Dundee United on March 22.
Chasing a ball deep into the penalty box he collided with an advertising hoarding and had to be substituted.
That issue turned into something of a saga.
Tony Ralston appeared to be the natural replacement but wasn’t sent on.
Luke McCowan replaced Donovan with Reo Hatate going to right-back. Soon afterwards Hatate was substituted with Yang Hyun-jun then shifted to right back.
The young defender pulled out of the Scotland u-21 squad but there has been no updates from Celtic side the defeat at Tannadice.
DONOVAN READY FOR DUNDEE?
Donovan appeared in good spirits alongside Liam Scales and Arne Engels ahead of training.
? #CelticFC Training Centre
? Back in league action for #DUNCEL this weekend. pic.twitter.com/CtctjmXZsb
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) April 3, 2026
Right-back has seemed to be a jinxed position in recent weeks.
Julian Araujo seemed like the perfect replacement for Alastair Johnston but the Mexican has missed Celtic’s last two matches.
It seems that Araujo is back at Bournemouth having his injury assessed and treated.
With Johnston another few weeks away from playing again it looks like Donovan and Ralston will be involved over the next few weeks.
Having Engels back as a midfield option would be welcome news for Martin O’Neill.
The Belgian suffered a thigh strain against Livingston on February 11 and has been out of contention since then.
If Engels is fit again to play alongside World Cup bound Ben Nygren there may be some positive news finally emerging.
With the match at Dundee put back until Sunday Celtic get a slight bonus of an extra day of training on the back of the international break.
Although they could kick-off at Dens eight points behind Hearts getting 24 hours extra preparations might prove vital as the pressure for the SPFL Premiership title mounts.
O’Neill will give an injury update during his early afternoon media conference.
Plenty ‘injury time’ at Celtic this season for sure !