1
Interim Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Sunday's trip to Dundee United.
Here are the main points:
- O'Neil says he was "surprised by the severity" of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel's injury and while he knew the Denmark international was having injections in order to play, he "didn't realise how bad it was".
- The Northern Irishman adds he thought Schmeichel's injury had been improving last week so was "disappointed to hear the news" although he says he "didn't hear it first hand".
- He says physio Tim Williamson "was aware that the scan had shown up much worse than we thought".
- O'Neill wouldn't be drawn in on suggestions results may have improved had Schmeichel taken a break earlier in the campaign, adding "the results have been fine, both with him in the side and with young [Viljami] Sinisalo in the team".
- The 74-year-old admits "I would have preferred to have heard it myself" after the goalkeeper announced the news on CBS in America.
- Alistair Johnston is "doing really well" and heading on international duty with Canada, even though Celtic would "prefer" him to stay with the club.
- The club are hoping Johnston's return "won't be that long" after the international break.
- Arne Engels and Callum McGregor are both "doing fine" and while the latter is "raring to go" O'Neill stresses they will need to "see how he is tomorrow".
- O'Neill is expecting a "really difficult game" against Dundee United on a tricky pitch but insists his side will "just get on with it".
- And the Celtic boss expects "plenty of twists and turns between now and the end of the season" in the title race.
