Celtic's Attack Boosted by Hogh and Tierney's Return
Kasper Hogh has stepped back into full training and could be thrown straight into Celtic’s attack, with Kieran Tierney also rejoining the squad as Brendan O’Neill’s injury picture begins to clear.
Both are in contention for the next game, although Hogh is viewed as the likelier to feature, with O’Neill admitting there are still “a couple of other fitness issues for players” to manage.
Hogh leads refreshed forward line
The Celtic manager is clearly excited by the options now emerging at the top end of the pitch, not least 18-year-old striker Hogh.
“I expect him to do well. He looks a player,” O’Neill said, careful not to overload the youngster with hype but making his belief plain. “I wouldn’t want to be throwing a host of accolades in someone’s direction if they’re not up for it, but I think he’s definitely capable.”
Hogh joins a growing cast in attack, with Michael Mheuka, Camilo Duran and Callum Osmand all in the mix. O’Neill did not hide the contrast with last year’s thin forward line.
With that quartet available, he insisted Celtic “definitely have better options up front than we had last season”, admitting that during the previous campaign he had been “wondering where the goals were going to come from”.
Now, there are bodies, variety and genuine competition.
Yang blow as Asian Games call bites
Just as the front line begins to look fully stocked, Celtic must cope without one of their most influential wide players.
South Korea winger Yang Hyun-jun will miss the next four matches due to Asian Games duty, and O’Neill was blunt about the scale of that loss, calling him a “big miss”.
“He’s playing exceptionally well for what he does with the ball,” the manager said. “It’s terrific, he’s scored a couple of very important goals for us. And what he’s doing without the ball, I don’t think anybody could question his workrate. He’s been great since I’ve come in here. I think he’s just responded to a bit of encouragement.”
Celtic will now need those returning forwards to shoulder more of the creative and goalscoring burden while Yang is away.
Johnstone pushing to be number one
At the other end of the pitch, there is a quieter but no less important battle developing.
O’Neill revealed how pleased he is with the ambition of goalkeeper Johnstone, who has made it clear he wants to be Celtic’s first choice.
“It’s really pleasing,” O’Neill said. “It’s not that long ago he was involved with the England squad. He’s determined, he’s looked really good in training, and at some stage he will get into a game because it will be necessary for him.”
Those words point to opportunities coming, and to a manager ready to trust him when the moment arrives.
Respect for Valakari’s St Johnstone
Attention now turns to the next opponents, and O’Neill’s respect for Simo Valakari’s work at St Johnstone was obvious.
He described Valakari’s side as “really talented” and clearly enjoys the way they approach the game.
“It’s nice to see them. They want to play football as well and they’re committed. There’s a vitality about them which is very encouraging,” he said, drawing a line between St Johnstone and another upwardly mobile side. “Not dissimilar in many aspects to what Craig McLeish is doing at St Mirren.”
Celtic head into that test with fresh legs returning, a key winger temporarily lost, and a manager who finally feels he has a forward line that can carry the weight of a title push.
