Right-Back Crisis Looms for Celtic as Martin O’Neill Provides Squad Update Ahead of St Mirren Clash

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill faces a significant selection headache at right-back as his side prepares to host St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership this Saturday at Celtic Park. Speaking at a pre-match media conference, O’Neill confirmed a mounting list of injuries in the position, leaving the Hoops stretched thin in a critical juncture of the season.

The primary concern is Scotland under-21 international Colby Donovan, who sustained a hamstring injury during Celtic’s 2-1 victory over Dundee at Dens Park last Sunday. O’Neill confirmed that Donovan will be unavailable for both the upcoming league encounter and the Scottish Cup semi-final against the Buddies scheduled for next Sunday.

“Colby has a hamstring problem, so he’ll be out,” O’Neill told the official Celtic YouTube channel. “Hopefully not too long, I don’t think so anyway. Next week as well too, but he’s doing well.”

While O’Neill remains optimistic about Donovan’s recovery, the defender is not expected to be back in contention until the top six fixtures initiate. Reports suggest Donovan is targeting a return for the home match against Falkirk on April 25.

The Right-Back Vacuum: Araujo and Johnston

Donovan’s injury compounds an already precarious situation for the Glasgow club. January loanee Julian Araujo, who was expected to provide depth and quality on the right flank, has suffered a major setback. O’Neill revealed on Friday that Araujo re-injured himself while at Bournemouth, leading the manager to admit, “I don’t think we’ll witness him for the rest of the season.”

There is a glimmer of hope, however, regarding Alistair Johnston. The Canadian international, who has been sidelined since October, has taken a significant step forward in his rehabilitation. Johnston returned to training with the full squad at Lennoxtown on Friday morning.

Despite the encouraging return to training, O’Neill cautioned that Johnston is not ready for immediate action. The defender will miss this afternoon’s encounter against St Mirren, but the manager hopes a full week of training will accelerate his timeline. “Next week would hopefully be a good week’s training for him and then who knows,” O’Neill noted, emphasizing that the team would “demand him as soon as possible.”

For readers unfamiliar with the squad’s depth, the right-back position is vital for Celtic’s build-up play. When a natural attacking full-back is missing, the team’s shape often shifts, impacting how the wingers operate and how the team transitions from defense to attack.

Tactical Shift: The Ralston Role

With Donovan, Araujo, and Johnston unavailable for the immediate future, Anthony Ralston is expected to start the next two matches. This move represents a tactical pivot for O’Neill. While the absent right-backs offer more offensive energy, Ralston provides a different profile, focusing more on defensive solidity and direct delivery when moving forward.

This shift in personnel may force Celtic to adjust their approach against a St Mirren side that arrives in Glasgow with significant momentum. O’Neill acknowledged that the Buddies will likely be “pretty confident” after securing two important victories recently.

Title Race Pressure and the Green Brigade

Beyond the injury crisis, the 74-year-old manager addressed the intensifying battle for the league title. While O’Neill admitted he “would rather be in Hearts’ position at the moment,” he remains confident that his players are capable of handling the pressure as the season reaches its climax.

Speculation regarding a potential title-deciding final day home game against Hearts was brushed aside by O’Neill, who insisted such a scenario is still “a long way off.” He also noted that Rangers are expected to play a “big part in proceedings” as the race unfolds.

Adding to the atmosphere at Celtic Park will be the return of the Green Brigade for the remaining home games. O’Neill described the return of the vocal support group as a “boost,” noting the fantastic support the team received in Dundee and expressing his desire to “park things now and see what the summer brings.”

Key Availability Summary

Celtic now looks to navigate a tricky period with a depleted defensive line, relying on the experience of Ralston and the hope that Johnston’s return to the grass at Lennoxtown signals a swift comeback.

The next confirmed checkpoint for the Hoops is the Scottish Premiership clash against St Mirren this Saturday, followed by the Scottish Cup semi-final against the same opponents next Sunday.

Do you think Anthony Ralston can fill the void at right-back during this injury crisis? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.