Alistair Johnston return could be massive boost Celtic needs

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The Celtic Star

·26 de março de 2026

Alistair Johnston return could be massive boost Celtic needs

We’ve suffered massively this campaign in regard to injuries, which have massively hampered us during a topsy turvy campaign…

Alistair Johnston back on the grass at Lennoxtown. Photo Instagram

Being denied the availability of key players has been one of the leading causes for our recent woes, with one such big miss being Alistair Johnston who’s been out of action since October.

Vídeos OneFootball

AJ gave the entire support a massive boost when he was pictured back in training with his under-fire teammates after a long rehabilitation recovering from a severe hamstring injury, and should be available for selection after the international break.

The player has been selected in Jesse Marsch’s Canadian squad, but will unlikely see any action, but the fact that he’s back in contention is positive news.

The Canadian international right back has been an absolute stellar performer since his £3 million move in early 2023, due to his athleticism and all action approach to the game. The former Montreal Impact man is the complete full back, and is a much better option for the title run in than Tony Ralston and the lesser experienced Colby Donovan.

Colby Donovan injured at Tannadice. Dundee Utd v Celtic. Sunday 22 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Donovan himself picked up an injury at Tannadice on Sunday in the hugely damaging 2-0 defeat that dropped Celtic to third place in the Scottish premiership five points behind leaders Hearts and two points behind the Rangers with seven games left to play.

Alistair Johnston is also a winner, and he’s experienced, traits we badly crave in the current side. We need leaders going into such a vital stage of the campaign with two trophies still on the offering.

Julian Araujo has done a great job since arriving on loan from Bournemouth, but due to his mystery absence which has led to much speculation and concern, so much so that there’s rumblings that he may have played his last game for the club.

So to have a player who possesses so much ability and experience in Alistair Johnston back in the fold will be a welcome boost at a time of great uncertainty.

Alistair Johnston of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier Sports League Cup match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on August 15, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

AJ has experience of winning titles and cups, he’s experienced on both the European stage and international stage, so to have him available for selection is just the massive boost we need heading into a vital run of fixtures.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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