Celtic's Johnston Returns to Training as Araujo's Season Hangs in Balance

Alistair Johnston, Canada's right-back, has made a comeback to training with Celtic after being sidelined with a hamstring injury since October. Johnston joined his teammates at the club's Lennoxtown training complex ahead of the Scottish Premiership match against St Mirren on Saturday. However, Mexico international Julian Araujo, who is on loan from Bournemouth, may have played his last game for Celtic due to a thigh problem that has kept him out for over a month. Araujo had returned to his parent club to recover but suffered a setback. Celtic boss Martin O'Neill expressed his concerns, stating, 'He [Johnston] trained with the team today, which was very encouraging. I don't think he felt any ill effects.' Regarding Araujo, O'Neill said, 'Julian re-injured himself under supervision at Bournemouth, so that was a real blow. I've only found that out today, so I don't think we will see him for the rest of the season.' O'Neill also confirmed that right-back Colby Donovan would miss Saturday's game with a hamstring injury and might also miss the Scottish Cup tie against the Saints at Hampden Park on April 19. The Celtic manager was pleased to see the Green Brigade return after a five-month ban was lifted, saying, 'The safety regulations have been sorted, and that would give us a boost, absolutely.' O'Neill added, 'The support is very strong, it's great, and I would like if that was the case, just to park things now and let's see what the summer brings.' On the title race, O'Neill stated, 'I would still rather be in Hearts' position just now. They are in the lead with games running out, that is not a bad position to be in. It could go any way. I genuinely wouldn't know.'