Celtic to play behind closed doors friendly as injury list decreases
Celtic to play behind closed doors friendly as injury list decreases Martin O’Neill is set to organise a behind-closed-doors friendly this week to help ease several players back towards full fitness… Arne Engels of St Celtic in action against Celtic during the Scottish Premiership between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on April 11, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images) Arne Engels, Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand have all made significant progress in their recovery over the past few weeks.
Alistair Johnston of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier Sports League Cup match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on August 15, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) Engels made his return during Saturday’s narrow 1-0 win over St Mirren, coming on as a substitute and featuring for 27 minutes. Meanwhile, both Johnston and Osmand have resumed full training sessions after lengthy spells on the sidelines due to hamstring injuries.
Speaking via Daily Record , O’Neill said: “We will try to get a bounce game for some of the players coming back. That was the plan for Alistair Johnston coming back from his time in Canada. ” “We were going to organise that and it would help.
We don’t want to rush people back but if they are feeling good and want to have a bounce game, that would be ideal. ” Alistair Johnston is in contention to make an appearance in Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final meeting with St Mirren. However, the game is expected to arrive too early for Callum Osmand, with the Welshman still working his way back to full fitness.
Despite that, O’Neill remains confident the youngster will be available again before the end of the campaign. Jota at the Premier Sports Cup Final. 14 December 2025.