Martin O’Neill evaluates Celtic fitness ahead of St Johnstone match
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 8, 2026, 2:10 PM
Last updated Sep 8, 2026

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill is assessing the fitness of Kasper Hogh and Kieran Tierney before the team’s upcoming Scottish Premiership trip to face St Johnstone. Both players have returned to training sessions, though their availability for the match remains uncertain. O’Neill also addressed the status of the squad’s attacking options, noting he intends to field his strongest available lineup despite ongoing personnel adjustments. The manager expressed respect for the St Johnstone squad, highlighting the approach of manager Simo Valakari. Additionally, O’Neill raised concerns regarding the application of VAR technology after a goal from Shim Mheuka was disallowed during the recent match against St Mirren. Officials were unable to draw conclusive offside lines during that game, forcing the referee to make a subjective judgment call at the monitor.
- •Kasper Hogh and Kieran Tierney are back in training ahead of the St Johnstone match.
- •Celtic faces St Johnstone in Perth on September 9, 2026.
- •Yang Hyun jun is currently unavailable due to participation in the Asian Games.
- •Martin O’Neill criticized the inability of VAR to properly draw offside lines during the St Mirren fixture.
- •St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has drawn praise from O’Neill for his side’s style of play.
- 2:10 PMYahoo Sports — “I think he’s just responded to a bit of encouragement,” Martin O’Neill
"Celtic manager spoke to the mainstream media this afternoon ahead of the trip to Perth to face St Johnstone tomorrow evening. Here’s everything that was said…Kasper Hogh of Celtic is seen prior to...
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