Celtic suffered a blow in their title race against Rangers and Hearts with the news Julian Araujo will miss the rest of the season, but have been gifted an immediate replacement.
Johnston returns to replace Araujo
Long-term absentee Alistair Johnston returned to training with Celtic as Martin O’Neill revealed injured loan defender Araujo could have played his last game for the Hoops.
Canada right-back Johnston has been out since October with a hamstring injury but joined his team-mates at the club’s Lennoxtown training complex ahead of the home William Hill Premiership game against the Buddies on Saturday.
Mexico international Araujo had returned to parent club Bournemouth to recover from a thigh problem – which has kept him out for over a month – but has had a set-back.
“He (Johnston) trained with the team today, which was very encouraging,” said Celtic boss O’Neill.
“I don’t think he felt any ill effects. He joined in, he joined in before and then he went and re-injured himself with the national side, but he is coming out well now so we would need him really, as soon as possible.
“If he comes through today, a little bit of work that he did with the team and also the work he did on his own with the recuperative team, then next week would be would be hopefully a good week’s training for him and who knows?”
Rangers hit with quadruple injury blow in huge title boost for Hearts and Celtic
The Gers gained ground on the top spot last weekend but it came at a cost.
On Araujo, who became a fans’ favourite in his 13 appearances for the Hoops, O’Neill said: “Julian re-injured himself under supervision at Bournemouth so that was a real blow.
“I’ve only found that out today so I don’t think we will see him for the rest of the season.
“I don’t know what sort of time element it is for his World Cup aspirations, I don’t know that, but certainly for us, I don’t think we will see him again if it’s the same injury that he has redone.”
|
SPL table before Matchweek 33 |
Points |
GD |
|---|---|---|
|
1. Hearts |
67 |
28 |
|
2. Rangers |
66 |
32 |
|
3. Celtic |
64 |
23 |
O’Neill confirmed right-back Colby Donovan would sit out Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury and could also miss the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup tie against the Saints at Barclays Hampden on Sunday week but was “recovering well”.
Hearts hit with an injury blow of their own
Hearts, Celtic and Rangers are locked in one of the most intense title races in years, and Derek McInnes has delivered some big injury news that could decide where the trophy ends up at the end of May.
The Jambos are looking to become the first non-Old Firm team to win the Scottish Premiership title since Aberdeen in 1985, led by Sir Alex Ferguson.
They may have to do it without Tomas Magnusson however, with the midfielder set to miss a significant period of time with a thigh injury.
“I didn’t want to dwell on bad news last week. It’s not looking good for him,” McInnes said.
“He’s going to get an injection on Friday just to see how it is. The scan doesn’t look great. The likelihood is he could miss the season, then that will be the headline. I don’t really want it to be. There’s a chance he might not be able to play again this season.”
Rangers have also suffered from the injury bug, with Ryan Naderi possibly out for the rest of the season.
