Alistair Johnston Aims Return for Premiership Split as Celtic Battles Injuries
alistair johnston says he aims to return in time for the Premiership split after months on the sidelines. The Celtic right-back is rebuilding fitness following a hamstring problem that required surgery and kept him out since his last appearance in October. He is training with the Canada camp while plotting a step-by-step return to club action, with trophy hopes at Celtic and a place in the home World Cup on his agenda.
Alistair Johnston injury update
Johnston has been sidelined after a hamstring issue that forced surgery and limited his appearances since the Europa League match in October. He described the setback as both a medical and mental challenge and said he has learned not to rush back after a re-injury. The plan outlined is cautious: a couple of weeks of sustained team training followed by a scheduled friendly once fit enough to test the hamstring in match conditions. He stressed that no exact return date is set and that the process will be handled week by week.
Immediate reactions
“In an ideal world, I would like to be back in time for the split, ” said Alistair Johnston, Celtic right-back and Canada international, describing the split as a realistic target while underlining the need for patience. “If I need an extra week, then I will take an extra week, ” he added, explaining he has tried to set precise dates before and wants to avoid false expectations for himself and the coaching staff. Johnston noted he has trained only a couple of times recently with the Celtic first team and that all testing since surgery has been positive.
Team context is stark: Celtic have faced a string of long-term absences, with Jota out with an ACL injury and Cameron Carter-Vickers sidelined with an Achilles problem. Of the trio, only Johnston retains hope of returning this season, and his careful recovery is being framed as part of the club’s wider effort to manage a congested fixture run-in and pursue domestic silverware.
What’s next for Johnston and Celtic
Johnston intends to continue his rehabilitation with measured progress, aiming for a block of full training, a friendly to confirm match readiness, then reintegration into competitive fixtures late in the Scottish season. He said his objectives remain clear: to contribute to a double-trophy push for Celtic and to arrive at the home World Cup prepared. The immediate timeline will be monitored week by week, with any return contingent on sustained, pain-free minutes in training and a successful preparatory match.
As the club navigates a tense run of results and squad depth concerns at right-back, a cautious return by Johnston could offer a timely lift. For now, he is focused on rebuilding strength, staying smart about a notoriously fickle muscle, and ensuring that when he does return he stays available for the run-in and for international duty.
Looking ahead, alistair johnston and Celtic will track progress in training sessions and planned friendlies, with the player prioritizing long-term availability over a rushed comeback. The next developments will hinge on those fitness benchmarks and the club’s scheduling of a preparatory match to confirm his readiness.
