Celtic to play behind closed doors friendly as injury list decreases

Q: Why is Celtic playing a behind-closed-doors friendly?

Celtic is organizing the friendly to help several players recover from injuries and regain full fitness.

Q: Who is organizing the friendly for Celtic?

Martin O’Neill is set to organize the behind-closed-doors friendly for Celtic.

Q: When will Celtic's behind-closed-doors friendly take place?

The exact date of the behind-closed-doors friendly has not been specified, but it is scheduled for this week.

Q: How many players are expected to return from injury for Celtic?

Several players are expected to return from injury, although the specific number has not been disclosed.

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. St Mirren v Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“I’ve not seen Jota, [Cameron] Carter-Vickers, or Johnston throughout my two spells. These are guys who have in the past been automatic choices.”

Celtic will be without both Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers until the start of next season, with the Portuguese winger still recovering from the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in April.

The Celtic boss recently dismissed speculation surrounding Jota’s long-term future, insisting the wide man still has a career ahead of him at the Hoops despite speculation circling online.

At 74, O’Neill has regularly made light of his age, but admitted that Roy Hodgson’s latest return to management has put things into perspective.

The 78-year-old took charge of Bristol City on an interim basis earlier this month and has enjoyed a strong start, collecting two victories and a draw from his opening three matches.

“I was delighted when Roy got the job and I meant to give him a call straight away,” O’Neill said. “Honestly, I don’t want to be starting a trend now! I felt like a child by comparison when he was appointed but I was happy for him.”

“He’s had a couple of results since going in there and I was planning to speak to him.”

Conor Spence

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