O’Neill confirms Saracchi hamstring injury as Johnston and Osmand set for surgery
Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed that defender Marcelo Saracchi suffered a hamstring injury during the first half of the win over Kilmarnock, while Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand are set for surgery, meaning extended spells on the sidelines.
Saracchi had to be replaced by Kieran Tierney midway through the first half, with the Irishman going on to score. O’Neill revealed the Uruguayan is the latest Celtic player to be hit by this type of injury.
Johnston, who had already missed two months with a hamstring problem and then suffered a recurrence in the Europa League against Sturm Graz, now faces further time out after scans revealed a tear. Osmand, who had recently broken into the first team, is also set for surgery following an injury during the defeat to Midtjylland.
“He’s done his hamstring,” O’Neill said of Saracchi. “And the other two lads, Osmand and Johnston, are having surgery on Tuesday, so they’re going to be out for a long time.”
Speaking on Johnston, he added: “They had to wait a while to get a clear picture of his hamstring. Scans have shown a tear. It’s really sad because everybody says he’s a really, really good player.”
O’Neill, who has just overseen his fourth match in an interim spell, admitted he is still unsure when Celtic will announce a permanent manager, though he expects a decision soon. “I genuinely don’t know,” he said. “But if they make an announcement in the next week or so about a new manager, it’s been fantastic.”
The 73-year-old also revealed he didn’t join the players’ usual lap of the pitch after the match. “I didn’t really think about that at all,” he said. “On reflection, the game has changed a lot, and now players spend about an hour after matches thanking the fans. I don’t remember doing that myself in my time here.”
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