Martin O’Neill has delivered a mixed update ahead of Celtic’s clash with St Mirren, confirming a major injury setback while also welcoming a positive development off the pitch.
The Celtic manager revealed that on-loan defender Julian Araujo will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a fresh injury during his recovery period.
The right-back, who joined from Bournemouth in January, had quickly established himself as a key figure in the squad and a fan favourite at Celtic Park.
However, O’Neill admitted the latest development came as a surprise, with Araujo picking up the injury while undergoing treatment back with his parent club. The setback means the Mexico international will play no further part in the current campaign, leaving a gap in Celtic’s defensive options.
There are also concerns surrounding Colby Donovan, who is set to miss the upcoming match after sustaining knocks in back-to-back games. Despite this, O’Neill remains hopeful the defender could return in time for the post-split fixtures.
With limited options at right-back, Anthony Ralston is currently the only fully fit natural choice available for selection. That said, there is some encouragement as Alistair Johnston edges closer to a return. The Canadian international has resumed training following a recurring hamstring issue and could soon be back in contention if his recovery continues smoothly.
Off the pitch, O’Neill welcomed the return of the Green Brigade, whose ban has now been lifted. The supporters group had previously been barred from attending matches, but they are now set to rejoin the stands for the remaining fixtures of the season.
The Celtic boss believes their presence could provide a significant boost during the final stretch, especially with several important home matches still to be played. He highlighted the role of fan support in driving the team forward, particularly in difficult moments during recent games.
Attention has also turned to the upcoming post-split fixtures. Celtic are set to host both Rangers and Hearts, with the latter scheduled for the final day of the season. The fixture arrangement has sparked some debate among supporters, particularly regarding the timing of the clash with Hearts.
O’Neill, however, dismissed any controversy surrounding the schedule. He insisted the setup is purely down to balance, noting that the club has an equal number of home and away matches, leaving no room for alternative arrangements.
Despite the injury setbacks, there remains a sense of optimism within the squad. With key players nearing a return and the backing of supporters restored, Celtic will be aiming to finish the season strongly and build momentum heading into the decisive final weeks.
