Alistair Johnston's return to action for Celtic lasted just 21 minutes before he limped off against Hibernian, raising fresh concerns over the defender's fitness and prompting scrutiny of the club's medical staff.
The Canada international came off the bench in the second half to replace Colby Donovan, who also picked up a knock, having not played a minute of football since early August. He had missed the 5-1 win over Kilmarnock due to a hamstring injury and failed to re-emerge for the second half of that match.
Return Cut Short at Easter Road
Johnston's comeback ended abruptly as he limped off, with Cameron Carter-Vickers coming on and Dane Murray moving into the right-back slot. A similar situation occurred last season when Johnston returned from a long-term hamstring knock but was substituted in only the 26th minute of the team's Europa League match against Sturm Graz after what appeared to be a recurrence of the same injury.
Speaking after the game, Celtic boss Martin O'Neill admitted he was unsure if it was the same injury resurfacing for the player.
Pundits Question Decision-Making
Former Celtic striker Cillian Sheridan suggested that Johnston's mindset heading into the return could have played a factor in another injury. Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, he said: "I think Colby Donovan going off has forced them into bringing him on earlier than they would have liked. It would be a worry. I was kind of watching him thinking 'is he going to be reserved, and looking after it a little bit?'"
"Sometimes when you go into a game with that attitude you are almost manifesting it into your body, it's a weird one. You can be a good player, but if you are always getting injured it doesn't matter how good of a player you are."
After the game, irked Neil Lennon insisted he couldn't understand why Johnston was put on, throwing the spotlight on the fitness and medical team at Celtic Park. He told Sky Sports: "I don't understand it. This isn't the first time this has happened to Alistair, so I don't know what is going on behind the scenes."
"You know, the medical team, the fitness team and the coaching team have felt that he is fit to play some part in the game - but quite clearly that has not been the case."
Concerns Over Recurrence
Lennon added: "For me, Martin obviously can't diagnose it straight away and what the damage is - if there is any - that has been done. I doubt it's a psychological thing, knowing Alistair Johnston, he is obviously feeling something is not right."
"I don't know if he needs a prolonged period...hamstring injuries are such a difficult one to get right - the rehabilitation right and the timing right - you can do it again. If this is a reoccurrence if the same injury then that is a real, real worry for the player."
Former Rangers coach Alex Rae mounted a defence for the medical staff, stating he knows they carry respect within the game: "I think that's a concern for Celtic going forward, that this guy is breaking down. I know the fellas in the medical team, they have been there for a long time and they are vastly experienced. Obviously this has gone against them, but I think they are well regarded in that field."
