Celtic Confirm More Bad News After Hibernian Game

Many Celtic fans would have been viewing the game against Hibernian as a chance to get things back on track for the Hoops after their defeat at the hands of Celta Vigo in midweek. And although Martin O'Neill's side did win at Easter Road, it was not the confidence booster they would have been looking for.

An own goal from Hibernian and a strike from Camilo Duran secured a 2-1 win for Celtic at the weekend against a team sitting at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table.

While O'Neill seemed content with the result coming out of the game, even happy, the same cannot be said about a lot of supporters.

And it is not just the result they need to be worried about. The club have been handed fresh injury concerns as well.

Alistair Johnston is someone who has faced constant injury problems over his time at Celtic. Unfortunately, things don't seem to be getting any better for the Canadian international.

Johnston was only making a return from injury in the game against Hibernian, coming on as a substitute. But he lasted only 20 minutes on the pitch before he had to be taken off again.

As reported by beIN Sports , O'Neill said regarding Johnston's injury coming out of the game:

"Alistair's felt something again, a little bit high up in his hamstring. A bit concerned about it. We don't know. We'll have to see.

"That would be a blow if he's out. You never know. It might be cramp. It might be a number of things.

"But he was really settling in brilliantly in the space of time that he was on the field."

Obviously, that is far from ideal. Was he rushed back from injury? Or is this a player who simply can't stay fit anymore?

On top of his game, Johnston is one of Celtic's best players. But due to his injury history, he is no longer someone the club can rely on.

If Celtic are convinced that Colby Donovan is their long-term starter then they probably should start settling him into that role moving forward. If not, they should look to bring in someone who can take up that spot.

As for Johnston, his time as a regular starter for Celtic might be as good as over. You simply cannot rely on a player who often spends more than half the season out injured. That is the unfortunate reality of the Canadian international's track record in recent times.

The best-case scenario for Celtic would be for Johnston to somehow recover his fitness to a level where he can play consistent football. But the signs do not point in that direction, unfortunately.