Celtic may need to make more moves in the transfer market after a star’s Everton switch was botched.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill says the Premiership champions have identified a couple of right-back targets after Alistair Johnston’s latest injury.
The Canadian international attracted Everton interest this summer as a Premier League switch looked on after an injury-hit 25/26 campaign. David Moyes is hunting a right-back but he’ll possibly need to assess Toffees alternatives after Johnston picked up an injury at Kilmarnock earlier this month that is set to rule him out until October. Celtic meanwhile have Colby Donovan and Anthony Ralston in reserve.
That might not be all the Hoops have in that department as O’Neill insists they are assessing their options in that department. He also admitted that he isn’t sure on whether Everton will return for Johnston as his reaction to injury is revealed.
Will Celtic sign a right-back this summer transfer window?
Speaking ahead of their Champions League play-off second leg against LASK in which they hold a 3-0 lead, O’Neill said: "There was definitely something there. It’s a couple of extra weeks than we first thought. The prognosis is sometime in October for him. It was a bit of a surprise because he played the opening game of the season and felt okay. He felt it before half-time at Kilmarnock but it felt more of precaution. But the results of the scan are really disappointing.
“It is a blow. He put himself out for us to play the game and it probably stopped him from getting to the Premier League. We’ll see how it goes but he’s a strong character. He was injured when I came in last October and needed surgery, but he was remarkably upbeat. I spoke to him after the news, and he shrugged it off as if to say, 'That’s life'. I don’t know if Everton will come back in.
“We’ll need to have a look at it (on looking to sign a right-back before the end of the summer). Colby came in and did really fine last Wednesday – he’s a character. If we are looking at European football, regardless of what that may be, I just think we could do with a couple of extra players in. Hopefully that’s what we’ll do. We have Colby and Tony Ralston there. We’ve identified a couple of lads, and we’ll see how it goes."
Camilo Duran of Celtic celebrates with teammate Colby Donovan against LASKplaceholder image
Camilo Duran of Celtic celebrates with teammate Colby Donovan against LASK | Getty Images
Martin O’Neill on LASK vs Celtic
Speaking on the LASK match, O’Neill added: “I felt that the game, the particularly in the first half was very, very open, and we took our chances with some really great goals. I expect to be put under pressure quite a lot during the course of it but we just can’t sit in there and that’s not our intention at all.
“I feel as if that we’re capable of scoring a goal in the game and that’s at least grounds for optimism. I think that it’ll be a tough old night for us but we’re capable. I think we can play, I think we will get opportunities. They will get opportunities to attack and they are a formidable team, there’s no question about it. But we’re in good form, the start of the season has been good and we’ll just give absolutely everything we possibly can to try and try and get through the tie.”
The Scottish Football Social Club is presented by BetSBK.com | 18+ | Gamble Responsibly