Celtic 'concerned' over new injury in title race as Hearts watch Hoops collect midweek boost
Celtic were in action midweek as Hearts watched over a title race rival.
Martin O’Neill insists Celtic show their title race mettle against Aberdeen - as he juggles a new injury concern.
The Jambos watched on as the reigning champions won their Premiership game in hand 2-1 at Pittodrie, to move into second ahead of Rangers, and five points off the top. A win against Motherwell on March 14th could see them go within two of Hearts prior to their kick-off later that day against Kilmarnock, but they have a Scottish Cup quarter-final with Rangers to deal with first.
Kieran Tierney put Celtic ahead before Kevin Nisbet’s penalty levelled things up. Benjamin Nygren came off the bench to net the winner as top of the table Hearts see pressure applied by one of the clubs beneath them. O’Neill reckons it’s a win that keeps them in the hunt.
Martin O’Neill on Aberdeen 1-2 Celtic
O’Neill said: “Substitutions in recent weeks have made big contributions to us, so that's important for us. So our third game in six days, I knew it was going to be a tough game, it proved to be, but we saw it through in the end. Whether Benjamin is unsung in that sense, he's doing something that is the most difficult thing in the game, to score goals.
“He's popped up again, he's proved to be the winning goal. The goalkeeper made a really great save and has absolutely done fine in the matches that he's played, in all three games. It's hard to score goals. I thought that when we scored the first goal, and it came very, very early on, I thought that's the time for us to really push forward and try and get the second goal if we can.
“I thought that we came off the game a little bit, allowed Aberdeen into it, they got the penalty and scored. That's a tough old second half, you have to try and create things, you have to take risks and you have to take chances. I think that's what you try to do, but at the same time, try and not concede a goal.
What is Celtic’s latest injury concern?
“That was always possible anyway but Nygren comes out big with the goal, which was great. It was a big win. I don't know whether you say on the back of (the game vs Rangers), but it certainly helps. It keeps us, at least for a little while, it keeps us in the race.”
Benjamin Arthur came in for his first start at centre-back after defender Dane Murray pulled up in the warm-up. Amid injuries to Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota, Alistair Johnston and more, O’Neill admits it’s a concern and puts him in the doubt category for this weekend’s game.
O’Neill said: “Dane, he felt his thigh, which is a concern for us, really. I would have to think he would be at this minute but I don't know at this minute. He's just come in, he's been treated, he'll obviously be in for treatment on Thursday morning and we'll see. If you're thinking about a thigh, I'm hoping that I'm not doom and gloom, but I'd be concerned about it.”