Celtic's Right-Back Crisis Deepens with Alistair Johnston's Injury
Celtic face being without Alistair Johnston until November, a blow that cuts through the early-season optimism at Parkhead.
The Canadian defender pulled up with a hamstring issue during the 5-0 demolition of Kilmarnock in the second league game of the campaign, forced off at half-time despite Celtic cruising. At the time, Assistant Manager Shaun Maloney played down the problem at Rugby Park. The scan has told a different story.
Johnston is now expected to miss a significant chunk of the autumn schedule, with the club not anticipating his return before November. For a player who has become a defensive pillar and a fan favourite, the timing is grim.
It also changes Celtic’s transfer plans.
Right-back crisis reshapes Celtic’s window
With Johnston sidelined, Martin O’Neill is being pushed into a decision he might have preferred to delay: whether to bring in another right-back before the window shuts.
Celtic are in talks to sign Niko Sigur from Hajduk Split. The 19-year-old offers something the squad badly needs – flexibility. He can operate at right-back and in defensive midfield, two areas where Celtic want extra cover after last season’s depth issues were brutally exposed whenever Johnston was missing.
Sigur would not arrive as a pure specialist in one role, but as a utility option who could strengthen both the back line and the spine of the team. For a manager juggling injuries and a heavy schedule, that kind of profile has obvious appeal.
Donovan steps up – but needs help
In the short term, Colby Donovan has kicked the door open.
Given the nod ahead of Tony Ralston against LASK, the teenager delivered a composed, confident performance that justified O’Neill’s faith. He attacked with intent, defended his channel, and looked anything but overawed. On this evidence, he has earned the right to keep the shirt.
O’Neill’s preference for the 19-year-old over the more experienced Ralston points to a clear plan: Donovan will hold the position until reinforcements arrive, rather than Celtic scrambling into a stop-gap solution.
That doesn’t change the bigger picture. Celtic still need depth and quality on that flank. Last season’s struggles whenever Johnston was absent are still fresh. One promising youngster and one dependable squad player are unlikely to be enough across a long campaign.
Options on the table
Sun Sport reports that Celtic have also been linked with Yuki Sugawara of Southampton, who is expected to be made available. The Japanese full-back would represent a more orthodox right-back option compared to the multi-role appeal of Sigur.
The choice for O’Neill is clear but not simple: back Donovan while adding a versatile piece like Sigur, or bring in a more established specialist such as Sugawara to anchor the position when the pressure spikes?
For now, Donovan has the jersey and the momentum. Johnston’s absence, though, has turned right-back from a position of quiet stability into one of the defining questions of Celtic’s window – and possibly their season.
