Alistair Johnston out for 12 weeks, Trusty and Idah to miss Livingston game

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The Celtic Star

·22. August 2025

Alistair Johnston out for 12 weeks, Trusty and Idah to miss Livingston game

Brendan Rodgers confirmed at his media conference at Lennoxtown this afternoon that right-back Alistair Johnston will be missing for 12 weeks after pulling a hamstring in the first half of the UEFA Champions League playoff match against Kairat at Celtic Park on Wednesday night.

Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Celtic and Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park on August 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

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“Yeah, not great. He’ll probably be about 12 weeks. He obviously had his scan yesterday. It’s disappointing for him because he’s he’s come back and started well. But that’s that’s where we’re at.

“I think when you lose any player, especially of that calibre, then of course it is a disappointment.

“But it’ll provide an opportunity for someone to step in. We know we have Tony. I’ve got young Colby Donovan who as a young player here, has really impressed me over the time I’ve been back and in this last 12 months. He’s made great strides.

“It’s always an opportunity for someone, but of course for Ali, we just want to make sure that we’re in a really good position in all competitions when he gets back.”

And the Celtic manager confirmed that his initial plan is to look at internal replacements within the current squad before looking at any last minute transfer deals before the summer transfer window closes.

Anthony Ralston arrives at Ibrox. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

He name-checked both Anthony Ralston and Colby Donovan, a young player Rodgers rates very highly indeed, as possibles to take the starting spot in the team while the Canadian international goes through his rehab.

“It’s always an opportunity for someone, but of course for Ali, we just want to make sure that we’re in a really good position in all competitions when he gets back.

“It’s my first look. My first look is always inside. That’s something that will gain more clarity over the next week or so. But that’s certainly my first look.”

Anthony Ralston, the current first pick Scotland right-back, will now start against Livingston and presumably against Kairat on Tuesday night, although Rodgers may be thinking about a surprise change of formation to go 3-5-2 in the Champions League playoff. That would solve his full-back issue and also his lack of wingers issue.

Alistair Johnston of Celtic lies injured during the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Celtic and Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park on August 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

That though is complicated by other injuries from the other night with both Auston Trusty and Adam Idah set to miss the visit of Livingston tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully both with be fine for Tuesday night. Daizen Maeda though is fine for tomorrow.

“Adam is struggling with his knee. Auston Trusty could be out for a bit with the plantar fascia issue that he’s had. Daizen Maeda, we’ve probably had to use him more than we would have liked.

“But he’s is okay. Just a bit stiff and crampy but apart from that, injury-wise, it’ll be the same squad,” the Celtic manager said.

Here’s Brendan giving an update on Alistair Johnston’s injury and the timescale for his return to action, which is looking like late November at the earliest.

🚨 Celtic defender Alistair Johnston will be out for "about 12 weeks" with Brendan Rodgers looking internally for his replacement ⤵️
– Freitag, 22. August 2025

And here’s the full media conference with the manager ahead of tomorrow’s match against Livingston at Celtic Park…

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