Green Brigade return may boost title bid - O'Neill

The return of the Green Brigade supporters group after their suspension was lifted will be "a boost" to Celtic's title challenge at a vital part of the season, boss Martin O'Neill says.

O'Neill felt Celtic fans "kept us going" as they scored a late winner at Dundee and the Green Brigade will return to Celtic Park for the first time since November for Saturday's visit of St Mirren.

An initial six-game ban was imposed on about 200 people following "violent and threatening behaviour" at a home match against Falkirk in October and the ban was extended in December because of "safety incidents".

"In terms of support, in terms of vocal support, it's great to see them back again," O'Neill said.

"I think that that would give us a boost. The support we got from Dundee was fantastic.

"I thought they kept us going during the course of the game. They didn't seem to be highly critical of us when we conceded the penalty. It could have dropped away and they kept us going."

O'Neill was speaking as the Scottish FA announced sports event consultant Mark Blackbourne will lead its investigation into the disorder that followed the Scottish Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic in March.

Tensions have arisen between elements of Celtic's support and the board about such matters as summer transfer activity, managerial appointments and crowd safety.

Discussions have been held between the Green Brigade and the club and Celtic said earlier this week that Glasgow City Council's Safety Advisory Group was happy for the suspension to be lifted.

"I think that the safety regulations have been sorted," O'Neill said. "We've got to just see how it goes and see what the end of the season brings. Let's have a proper conversation at the end."

Defending champions Celtic go into Saturday's game three points behind leaders Heart of Midlothian and two adrift of Rangers.

Hearts have been handed a visit to Celtic Park on the final day of the season following the publication of the post-split Scottish Premiership fixtures, but O'Neill said "it's certainly a long way off for us" to be thinking of that possibly being a title decider.

Celtic's goal difference is worse than both their title rivals, but the Northern Irishman said "it's too late now" to think about that and "I would just be delighted to win the games".

Meanwhile, O'Neill revealed on-loan right-back Julian Araujo had suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury after returning to Bournemouth for treatment and would miss the rest of the season - and possibly the World Cup with Mexico.

Fellow right-back Colby Donovan also has a hamstring injury that will rule him out for perhaps the next two weeks, but Canada international Alistair Johnston could return next weekend for the first time since October.