O’Neill says Johnston will miss Celtic matches before break

Celtic defender Alistair Johnston is expected to miss the rest of the club’s fixtures before the November international break after suffering a fresh hamstring injury, manager Martin O’Neill said. O’Neill said the latest injury was not the same hamstring problem that had previously kept Johnston out for an extended period. He said both the player and Celtic’s medical team expected the new setback to require a shorter recovery, but he did not expect Johnston to play before the international break. Johnston had returned to action as a substitute against Hibernian on Sunday, but his comeback lasted about 20 minutes before he left the match. Celtic won 2-1 at Easter Road. The brief appearance raised concern that he might have aggravated the injury that had sidelined him since August; O’Neill’s subsequent comments indicated the new problem was different. The expected absence covers Celtic’s matches against Dundee United, Falkirk and Kilmarnock, as well as a Europa League fixture against Besiktas. The games are scheduled before the November break. O’Neill’s comments establish that Johnston is not expected back before the break, but do not set a firm return date. One possible date...