Alistair Johnston injury scare leaves Celtic waiting on scans

"We're not sure just at this moment," Martin O'Neill said after Celtic's 2-1 win at Hibernian in Hibernian vs Celtic. Alistair Johnston lasted just 21 minutes on his return before Celtic were left waiting for scan results again, with O'Neill saying the right-back felt something in the top of his hamstring.

O'Neill's injury update

O'Neill said Johnston will need scans later that night or the next day before Celtic know how serious the problem is. He also said, "He's not sure, neither is the doctor at this minute. He'll obviously need a scan and we'll see how he is."

The manager's concern is understandable. Johnston had already been absent since early August after a recurrence of the injury, and he had missed most of last season with hamstring issues. This was only his third Premiership appearance of the campaign, so any more time out would stall the comeback all over again.

Celtic's right-back options

There is cover if Johnston needs another spell out. O'Neill said Colby Donovan has done exceptionally well, while Anthony Ralston and Jordan Lotombo are also in the frame. Cameron Carter-Vickers came through the final 17 minutes after replacing Johnston at Easter Road, which at least gave Celtic another defensive option on the night.

Still, the main story is the scan. Celtic are first in the Premiership after the win, but the mood after Hibernian vs Celtic was shaped less by the result than by whether Johnston's latest setback is another short interruption or something more serious.