Celtic Boosted by Hogh and Tierney's Return Ahead of Weekend
Kasper Hogh has handed Celtic a timely boost, with the striker back in full training and pushing to be involved this weekend. Kieran Tierney has also rejoined the squad, offering another lift, though Hogh is viewed as the more likely of the two to feature as Celtic juggle “a couple of other fitness issues”.
Manager O'Neill has plenty of eyes on the future too, and one 18-year-old in particular has caught his attention.
“I expect him to do well. He looks a player,” O'Neill said of the teenager. “I wouldn't want to be throwing a host of accolades in someone's direction if they're not up for it, but I think he's definitely capable.”
Celtic’s attacking department suddenly looks far healthier than it did last season. With Hogh, Mheuka, Camilo Duran and Callum Osmand all available, O'Neill believes the days of scratching around for goals should be over.
He was blunt about the contrast with last term. Back then, he admitted, he was “wondering where the goals were going to come from”. Now, there are options, different profiles, and genuine competition for places in the final third.
There is, however, one significant short-term loss.
South Korea winger Yang Hyun-jun will miss the next four games due to Asian Games duty, and O'Neill made no attempt to play down the impact.
Yang, he said, will be a “big miss” for Celtic. “He's playing exceptionally well for what he does with the ball. It's terrific, he's scored a couple of very important goals for us. And what he's doing without the ball, I don't think anybody could question his workrate. He's been great since I've come in here. I think he's just responded to a bit of encouragement.”
Between the posts, the manager is equally encouraged by the attitude of Johnstone, who has made it clear he wants to be Celtic’s number one.
O'Neill called it “really pleasing” to hear that ambition. “It's not that long ago he was involved with the England squad. He's determined, he's looked really good in training, and at some stage he will get into a game because it will be necessary for him.”
That sense of hunger is something O'Neill also detects in the opposition.
He reserved praise for Simo Valakari’s St Johnstone, describing them as “really talented” and highlighting their intent to play on the front foot.
“It's nice to see them. They want to play football as well and they're committed. There's a vitality about them which is very encouraging. Not dissimilar in many aspects to what Craig McLeish is doing at St Mirren.”
Sharper strikers, a driven goalkeeper, a key winger temporarily lost to international duty, and opponents keen to play rather than just contain – O'Neill knows this stretch of the season will reveal exactly how far his reshaped Celtic side has come.
