Johnston back in training as Maeda and Tounekti doubtful for Dundee

Celtic received a timely fitness boost on the eve of their Scottish Premiership trip to Dens Park after right back Alistair Johnston returned to full first-team training, the club said, while the visitors face selection doubts over forward Daizen Maeda and Sebastian Tounekti ahead of Sunday’s 12pm kickoff. The match pits second-place Celtic, who have 17 points from seven games, against 11th-place Dundee, who have six points from eight fixtures and are searching for points to pull clear of the relegation zone.

Johnston, 27, had been sidelined since August with a hamstring problem and was initially expected to be out until November. Celtic said he resumed training at the club’s Lennoxtown base weeks ahead of schedule. Last season Johnston recorded four goals and 10 assists and created 48 chances while posting strong defensive numbers, highlighting his value on both flanks. The club has also indicated he will not leave in January, though interest from other leagues remains.

Celtic enter the match on the back of a dramatic 3-2 home win over Motherwell two weeks ago, when Maeda headed a 92nd-minute winner to keep Brendan Rodgers’s team within two points of league leaders Hearts....