Celtic are more likely to win the title than Hearts and Rangers with a star to return
Celtic have suffered a setback in their title race against Rangers and Hearts with the news that Julian Araujo will miss the rest of the season, but has been given the chance to replace him immediately.
Johnston returns to replace Araujo
Long-term absentee Alistair Johnston returned to training with Celtic as Martin O’Neill revealed injured on-loan defender Araujo could play his final game for the Hoops.
Canada defender Johnston has been out since October through injury but joined his teammates at the club’s Lennoxtown training ground ahead of Saturday’s William Hill Premiership home game against the Buddies.
Mexican Araujo returned to parent club Bournemouth to recover from a thigh problem – which kept him out for more than a month – but suffered a setback.
“He (Johnston) trained with the team today, which was very encouraging,” said Celtic coach O’Neill.
“I don’t think he has been treated badly, he joined, he came in earlier and then went to hurt himself with the national team, but he is coming out well now so we really needed him, soon.
“If he comes today, the little work he has done with the team and the work he has done alone with the team recovering, could next week be a good training week for him and who knows?”
Rangers suffered four injuries in Hearts and Celtic’s title clash
The Gers went top last weekend but it came at a cost.
On Araujo, who became a fan favorite in his 13 appearances for the Hoops, O’Neill said: “Julian re-injuring himself under surveillance at Bournemouth was a real blow.
“I found that out today, so I don’t think we’ll see him for the rest of the season.
“I don’t know what kind of time his ambitions for the World Cup are, I don’t know that, but certainly for us, I don’t think we’ll see him again if it’s like the injury he’s done again.”
|
SPL table ahead of Matchweek 33 |
Points |
GD |
|---|---|---|
|
1. Hearts |
67 |
28 |
|
2. Guardians |
66 |
32 |
|
3. Celtic |
64 |
23 |
O’Neill confirmed that right-back Colby Donovan will sit out Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury and could miss the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup tie against Saints at Barclays Hampden on Sunday week but he was “on the mend”.
Hearts are broken by their own injuries
Hearts, Celtic and Rangers are locked in one of the most intense title races in years, with Derek McInnes delivering major injury news that could decide where the trophy ends up at the end of May.
The Jambos are looking to become the first non-Old Firm side to win the Scottish Premiership title since Aberdeen in 1985, led by Sir Alex Ferguson.
They may have to do without Tomas Magnusson though, with the midfielder set to miss significant time with a thigh injury.
“I didn’t want to dwell on the bad news last week. It doesn’t look good on him,” McInnes said.
“He’s going to get an injection on Friday to see how it goes. The scan doesn’t look good. The possibility that he could miss the season, that’s going to be a big headline. I really don’t want that to happen. There’s a chance he might not be able to play again this season.”
The Rangers have also been plagued by the injury bug, with Ryan Naderi likely out for the rest of the season.
