“In an ideal world, I would like to be back in time for the split,” Alistair Johnston

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The Celtic Star

·26 mars 2026

“In an ideal world, I would like to be back in time for the split,” Alistair Johnston

Alistair Johnston is closing in on a return to action for Celtic in the post-split fixtures. The right back has suffered two hamstring injuries this campaign which has ruined his season for both club and country…

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)

However the Canadian international, who is currently back home with his international teammates as the build-up to this summer’s home World Cup intensifies, is set to make a return to action with a double trophy triumph for Celtic then a good World Cup campaign to follow being the Celtic star’s key objectives.

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Speaking back in Canada, AJ gave a detailed update on his injuries, learning his lesson on return too soon the first time around and his ambitions for the rest of the season for Celtic and of course Canada.

Alistair Johnston of Celtic is stretchered off after sustaining an injury 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)

“In an ideal world, I would like to be back in time for the split,” the Celtic right-back said as reported by Scottish Sun. “And I think that’s a realistic target, but at the same time, none of us are writing anything in stone. But if I need an extra week, then I will take an extra week.

“I don’t have an exact date. I have tried to do that in the past and you almost set false expectations for yourself and the coaching staff. We will all take it week by week. My fitness is coming along.

Alistair Johnston of Celtic looks dejected as he is substituted off the pitch during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“It was difficult for me when I re-injured it from a medical and a mental standpoint. I am happy with how it is coming along. I feel strong and now it’s just about building up. The plan is to get a couple of good weeks’ training and hopefully get a friendly game, which would be set up when I get back.

“So I will be looking to kick on with the tail end of the season in Scotland and ideally lift a couple of trophies and be ready to go for the World Cup,” Johnston added.

Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic on the ground with suspected injury at full-time. Final score Celtic 2 Sturm Graz 1. Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Celtic Park, 23 October 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

It’s been a tough season for Celtic on the injury front with key players like Johnston (hamstring), Jota (ACL) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles) all sidelined with long term injuries. Of the three only AJ has any hope of playing again this season. CCV would have been a strong contender for making the USA squad for the World Cup but that dream is shattered too while there are real concerns in some quarters over whether Jota will in fact make a full recovery.

Arne Engels and Nicolas Kuhn look on as Jota receives treatment. Dundee United 0 Celtic 5 at Tannadice Park on April 26, 2025 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

So while it has been bad for Alistair Johnston there are teammates in an even worse position due to their injury problems at Celtic. AJ gave more insight into how his season has gone away from the normal training and playing routine that he is so used to.

“When you do two months of individual sessions on your own, you are just desperate to kick a ball. I have only trained a couple of times with the Celtic first team last week, so it has been great to be in a training session and be around the guys.

“I just have to be smart about the hamstring because it’s such a finicky muscle and no matter how good you feel you still have to give it time and really listen to it because it’s one of those ones that gets to 90 per cent pretty quickly and that can trigger you into a false sense of security, which it did the first time round for me and I have learned my lesson.

“I want to get back as quickly as I can, but the most important thing is when I come back, I want to stay back. Having been out for that long, you do get that itch to get back to help, but I have learned my lesson from the first time, where I probably pushed myself a little too quickly.

“I’ve done it before, I am a pretty mature player and we have already made a bit of a mess of this season in terms of this injury and I just don’t want it to recur. I’m still trying to get used to the hamstring after surgery because there are a lot of pins and needles sometimes!

“But all the testing has been good and it’s about listening to the doctors,” AJ said.

Talking about being back in Canada, Johnston praised Celtic for allowing him to join up with the Canadian national squad despite still being in rehab.

“It’s really nice to be back,” AJ admitted. “I missed September, October and November camps and the thought of missing March too was one I just didn’t really want to entertain.

“Celtic were great with me. They knew where I was at – they knew I play a pretty big leadership role in this group and they knew how important it was for me to be here leading into a home World Cup.

“Celtic gave the first team the week off, so they said there would be nothing better than for me to come out here and get the full training with the national team rather than training on my own in Scotland.

“So it worked out well. It’s been nice to reconnect with everyone.”

Hopefully we’ll see Alistair Johnston back, adding quality, determination and experience to the Celtic side which has eight cup finals and a semi-final to play if the Scottish Premiership trophy is to be retained and the Scottish Cup returned to Paradise.

Haste Ye Back AJ!

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