Celtic to 'have a little look' at defenders with Johnston out until October

What the report says

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has said right-back Alistair Johnston is expected to be unavailable until October after a scan confirmed a further spell out. The Canada international, 27, went off at half-time in Celtic’s second match of the season against Kilmarnock, shortly after missing much of the previous campaign with a hamstring problem. BBC Sport reported that the setback means Celtic will need to rely on other options in the position for the coming weeks.

O'Neill suggested the injury has prompted the club to at least consider defensive reinforcements before the transfer deadline on 3 September. He noted that Kieran Tierney is essentially the only left-sided full-back available, and said Celtic would “have a little look” at the market. He also indicated he would wait until after Celtic’s Champions League play-off second leg away to LASK before focusing on transfers.

The BBC Sport report said the club has already strengthened in attack over the summer and has been linked with midfield targets, but O'Neill gave no fresh update on reported interest in Ermin Mahmic or Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis. In Johnston’s absence, 19-year-old Colby Donovan has been covering at right-back and impressed in the 3-0 first-leg win over LASK, while Scotland international Anthony Ralston remains another option. The situation matters because Johnston has already missed extended time, and Celtic may need added depth in defence as domestic and European commitments continue.