Celtic's Firepower Boost Ahead of St Johnstone Clash

Martin O’Neill will take Celtic into the weekend with a little more firepower – and a sizeable hole out wide.

Kasper Hogh has returned to training over the past couple of days and is pushing to be involved, while Kieran Tierney rejoined full sessions with the squad this morning. Both are in the frame for selection, with Hogh the more likely to feature as O’Neill weighs up “a couple of other fitness issues for players”.

The Celtic manager is also ready to lean further into youth. He spoke warmly about 18-year-old striker Tyrese Mheuka, but kept the praise grounded.

“I expect him to do well. He looks a player,” O’Neill said. “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.”

For O’Neill, the biggest difference from last season sits at the top of the pitch. With Hogh, Mheuka, Camilo Duran and Callum Osmand all available, he believes Celtic now carry a far sharper edge in attack.

He put it bluntly: Celtic “definitely have better options up front than we had last season”, admitting that during the previous campaign he was “wondering where the goals were going to come from”.

That new depth will be tested immediately.

Yang Hyun-jun, in outstanding form on the right, will miss the next four matches while on Asian Games duty with South Korea. O’Neill made no attempt to play down the impact.

The winger will be a “big miss”, the manager said, before outlining exactly why.

“He's playing exceptionally well for what he does with the ball. 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.”

Behind that evolving front line, another battle is brewing in goal. O’Neill is encouraged by Joe Johnstone’s determination to become Celtic’s undisputed number one.

He finds Johnstone’s ambition “really pleasing” and pointed to the keeper’s recent pedigree.

“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.”

All of it feeds into a different feel around Celtic: more options, more competition, more decisions for the manager to make as the fixtures stack up.

Next up is St Johnstone, and O’Neill is wary. He singled out Simo Valakari’s side as “really talented” and sees a clear identity in the way they play.

“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. Not dissimilar in many aspects to what Craig McLeish is doing at St Mirren.”

Sharper strikers, a missing winger, a goalkeeper knocking at the door, and a lively opponent on the horizon – O’Neill has choices to make. How he uses them will shape Celtic’s next stretch of the season.