NafisaCeltic supporters were hoping to see Alistair Johnston finally put his injury troubles behind him after the defender made his long-awaited return to action against Hibernian on Sunday afternoon.
However, what should have been an encouraging moment for the Hoops has quickly turned into a fresh source of concern.
The Canadian international had been sidelined since early August, when he was forced off during Celtic’s meeting with Kilmarnock.
After weeks of waiting to see the 28-year-old back in action, his appearance at Easter Road offered hope that Celtic were finally getting an important defensive option back at a crucial stage of the season.
But that optimism has now been tempered by another worrying development.
Johnston came off the bench to replace Colby Donovan during Celtic’s clash with Hibs, marking his first appearance for the club since his injury setback. Yet his comeback was unexpectedly cut short when he was substituted later in the match.
Cameron Carter-Vickers came on to replace the full-back, leaving supporters wondering whether Johnston had suffered another injury problem or whether Celtic’s coaching staff had simply decided against taking any unnecessary risks with his fitness.
Celtic Await Clarity on Alistair Johnston’s Condition
At this stage, the exact reason behind Johnston’s withdrawal remains unclear. Celtic have yet to establish publicly whether the substitution was precautionary or whether the defender had suffered a fresh setback.
That uncertainty will be particularly frustrating for Johnston, who has already spent a significant period away from the pitch after his August injury.
Having worked his way back to fitness, the defender would have been eager to build momentum and re-establish himself as a regular option for Celtic. Instead, his early withdrawal has raised fresh questions about whether he is ready to return to full competitive action.
For Celtic, the priority will be determining what prompted the substitution before drawing any conclusions about the severity of the situation.
A precautionary change would offer some reassurance, particularly after such a lengthy absence. However, if Johnston has picked up another injury, the club could face another frustrating wait to discover when he will be available again.
Another Defensive Concern for Celtic?
Johnston’s fitness is an important issue for Celtic as they look to maintain their momentum across their domestic and European commitments.
The Canadian’s return had the potential to provide a welcome boost, giving the club another option at right-back after his lengthy spell on the sidelines.
His substitution against Hibernian, however, means Celtic must now wait for further information before knowing whether they can count on him in their upcoming fixtures.
For now, there is no confirmed diagnosis and no indication of how long Johnston might be unavailable if the withdrawal proves to be injury-related.
Celtic supporters will be hoping the decision was merely precautionary and that the defender has avoided another serious setback.
After waiting since August to see him return, the last thing the Hoops need is for Johnston’s comeback to be followed by another prolonged spell on the sidelines. Further clarity on his condition will be crucial in determining whether Sunday’s appearance represents genuine progress or another frustrating interruption to his recovery.
Nafisa
