Celtic Face Right-Back Crisis as Alistair Johnston Out Until November

Celtic are bracing themselves to be without Alistair Johnston until November, a blow that cuts through the early-season optimism at Parkhead.

The Canadian defender limped out at half-time of Celtic’s ruthless 5-0 demolition of Kilmarnock in the second league game of the campaign, pointing to a hamstring issue. At the time, Assistant Manager Shaun Maloney played down the problem at Rugby Park.

The scan has told a different story.

Club insiders had already indicated earlier in the week that Johnston was unlikely to feature again before November. Now, according to Sun Sport, those fears have been reinforced, with the right-back expected to miss a significant chunk of the autumn schedule.

That changes the shape of Celtic’s transfer window.

Right-back crisis forces Celtic’s hand

With Johnston sidelined, Martin O'Neill is being pushed towards a decision he might have preferred to delay: whether to bring in another specialist right-back before the window closes.

Talks are ongoing with Hajduk Split over Niko Sigur, a player who ticks more than one box. The 19-year-old can operate at right-back and as a defensive midfielder, two areas where Celtic want more cover after last season’s depth issues.

The urgency is obvious. When Johnston was out injured last term, Celtic’s right flank became a problem area. They cannot afford a repeat.

Donovan steps up, but help still needed

Colby Donovan has already made his case. Handed a start against LASK, the youngster delivered a composed, energetic performance that clearly impressed O'Neill. The manager’s decision to favour the 19-year-old ahead of the more experienced Tony Ralston was telling.

For now, Donovan is expected to keep the shirt.

He has earned that chance. His display against LASK was not a token outing; it was a statement. But Celtic’s schedule and ambitions demand more than one promising teenager holding the fort.

Depth and quality are non-negotiable.

Options on the table

Alongside Sigur, Celtic have also been linked with Yuki Sugawara at Southampton, with the Japanese full-back understood to be available. That would be a more straightforward right-back solution, but Sigur’s versatility gives him a different appeal.

A player who can lock down the flank and also step into midfield would allow O'Neill to reshape his squad without multiple signings. On a tight timeline, that kind of flexibility matters.

Donovan’s emergence has bought Celtic some breathing space. It has not solved the problem.

With Johnston out until November and the memory of last season’s right-back struggles still fresh, the next few weeks in the transfer market will reveal just how bold Celtic are prepared to be.