Martin O’Neill says Celtic expect to have almost their full squad available again in the coming days as the club welcomes back its players following their involvement at this summer’s World Cup.
Seven members of the Hoops squad were away on international duty across the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with several only recently returning to Lennoxtown.
Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston and Sebastian Tounekti all made appearances in Saturday’s pre-season draw with AC Milan after their nations exited at the group stage, while those who progressed further have yet to feature during the club’s summer preparations.
Looking ahead to Celtic’s Premiership opener against Dundee on Flag Day, O’Neill provided an update on those still working their way back.
He said via Celtic FC’s YouTube channel: “[Auston] Trusty comes back.
“He’s had some family things. I’ve given him a little bit of extra time, which I think he’s deserved.
“I’m probably less concerned about those boys because they have played matches in the World Cup.
“Okay, so you take a little bit of a break. And the last thing you want to do is be rushing them back.
“By Monday, I think that everybody will be back.
“I was hoping that Alistair [Johnston] might have played maybe 20 minutes today. He was ready for it. I have to be guided. If anything happened to him, then I would get it in the neck from the sports science boys!
“Yang’s back. He’s done some training again. Just a little bit of a hiccup there a couple of days ago. But he’ll be fine. He’ll be ready to go.”
The Celtic boss also disclosed that Benjamin Nygren missed the Milan friendly because of a minor Achilles issue but does not believe the problem will keep the midfielder sidelined for long.
O’Neill added: “Nygren’s here at this minute.
“Didn’t play [vs Milan]. He’s got a bit of an Achilles problem at the moment.
“He played for Sweden in at least one of the games anyway. So I don’t think it’s massive.”
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2 Comments
MoN already has a few selection decisions for the opening game on flag day?
With Scales unavailable, do you go with trusty or Murray to partner CCV?
Do you start Hogh or not?
And if so, where does Duran play?
Still think Duran might fill in for nygren, as the starting option imo?
Our wider areas, still potentially have to be addressed?
But Hatton already looking like a better option than balikwisha, so a fair chance of him making the match day squad for flag night imo?
We might not have a recognised LB outside of Tierney, for the opening game. But with Donovan as a sub, the position should be covered if needed, even if not the solution for the longer term?
Despite the loss of Maeda, Saracchi and kelchi, wouldn’t say we will be in bad shape with the returning CCV, and Duran and Hogh in place either?
Maybe not wholesale changes to our 20man SPFL match day Squad will be in operation?
But still enough to give ourselves a stronger feel to the opening match of the season imo?
I look like a better option than Balikwisha and I’m 56 and 2 stone overweight!!!
I think Duran will start centrally with Hogh be8ng brought on later. Starting wingers will be Forrest and Tonetki.
Murray as CH with CCV. Trusty maybe getting 20 mins if the game is won