Celtic medical team under scrutiny as Neil Lennon raises Alistair Johnston concerns

Neil Lennon has questioned the club’s medical staff after Alistair Johnston suffered another injury scare during Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Hibernian.

The Canadian international made his first appearance since August after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

However, Johnston lasted just 20 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute at Easter Road before being withdrawn again.

Celtic boss Martin O’Neill admitted afterwards that a recurrence of the original injury could not be ruled out, prompting Lennon to question whether the 28-year-old had returned prematurely.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Lennon said: “I don’t understand it. This isn’t the first time this has happened to Alistair, so I don’t know what is going on behind the scenes.

“You know, the medical team, the fitness team and the coaching team have felt that he is fit to play some part in the game – but quite clearly that has not been the case.

“For me, Martin obviously can’t diagnose it straight away and what the damage is – if there is any – that has been done. I doubt it’s a psychological thing, knowing Alistair Johnston, he is obviously feeling something is not right.

“I don’t know if he needs a prolonged period…hamstring injuries are such a difficult one to get right – the rehabilitation right and the timing right – you can do it again. If this is a reoccurrence if the same injury then that is a real, real worry for the player.”