Celtic face a difficult Europa League assignment against Celta Vigo without two important defenders, adding to the selection problems that have troubled Martin O’Neill’s side during their European campaign.
Interim manager Shaun Maloney confirmed to Sky Sports Scotland that Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers will miss the Spanish club’s visit. O’Neill remains away while dealing with a personal matter, leaving Maloney to address the immediate concerns surrounding Celtic’s defensive options.
Johnston’s absence carries particular significance. The Canadian international has struggled with a long-term hamstring injury since August, depriving Celtic of a regular starter at right-back. His recovery has left the coaching staff searching for a dependable solution during a demanding run of fixtures.
Domestically, however, Celtic have continued to produce convincing results. Their 7-1 victory over Hearts highlighted the attacking quality within the squad, while their position at the top of the Scottish Premiership underlines their strength in domestic competition.
Europe has proved less comfortable. Defeats against Ferencváros and Benfica have left Celtic under pressure in the Europa League league phase, making the upcoming meeting with Celta Vigo particularly important. Losing Johnston and Carter-Vickers further limits the manager’s defensive choices.
Celtic Injury News: Who can fill Johnston’s place at right-back?
Academy graduate Colby Donovan has taken advantage of Johnston’s absence, earning opportunities in the first team and attracting praise for his performances. The 20-year-old offers Celtic a chance to develop a homegrown option rather than immediately seeking another signing.
Anthony Ralston provides additional experience, while Swiss defender Jordan Lotomba offers another alternative following his arrival at the club. These options give Celtic some flexibility, although replacing Johnston’s experience and attacking contribution remains a separate challenge.
The 27-year-old brings international experience, physical strength and the ability to support attacks from wide areas. His absence can affect Celtic’s width on the right, particularly when opponents press aggressively and force the team to build through narrow spaces.
Has Johnston’s failed £15m Everton move helped Celtic’s long-term ambitions?
Reports surrounding Johnston’s potential Everton move suggest that the right-back attracted interest from the Premier League club before his injury disrupted the situation.
From Celtic’s perspective, retaining Johnston could prove valuable if he returns to full fitness. A defender with international experience would strengthen their options for domestic competition and European fixtures, where squad depth can determine whether a team survives injuries without losing its tactical balance.
However, keeping an injured player does not automatically represent a successful transfer decision. Celtic currently need dependable defenders who can contribute immediately, particularly after losing their opening two European matches. Donovan’s progress offers encouragement, but expecting a young academy graduate to replace Johnston’s experience throughout a demanding campaign would place unnecessary pressure on the youngster.
The sensible approach is to protect Donovan’s development while managing Johnston’s rehabilitation carefully. If the Canadian returns at his previous level, Celtic will regain a proven right-back without spending another substantial transfer fee. If his recovery takes longer than expected, the club must ensure that Ralston and Lotomba can provide sufficient cover.
For now, the reported Everton interest remains secondary to Celtic’s immediate defensive problems. Johnston’s value will depend less on a disputed transfer figure than on how effectively he returns to competitive football and helps O’Neill’s side improve its European results.
