Brendan Rodgers gives hamstring injury update on Iheanacho and Johnston

Brendan Rodgers spoke to the media following Celtic’s massive 2-1 victory over SK Sturm Graz, expressing both satisfaction with the result and concern over new injury setbacks that tempered the significance of the Europa League win…

Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic
Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic is taken off the pitch after being seen to by medical staff during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Rodgers watched his team overturn an early deficit to secure their first Europa League victory of the campaign, though the three points was marred by first-half injuries to Alistair Johnston and Kelechi Iheanacho.

The injuries undoubtedly unsettled Celtic’s rhythm early on in the game, compelling the Hoops boss to make two substitutions before half-time.

Alistair Johnston of Celtic
Alistair Johnston of Celtic looks dejected as he is substituted off the pitch during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Johnston seemed to pull his hamstring again, while Iheanacho limped off after two minutes after chasing a ball played by the injured Celtic right-back.

Rodgers adopted a subdued tone in his post-match comments when asked about Johnston and Iheanacho’s injuries, admitting that could disrupt his preparations for the upcoming Scottish Premiership top of the table clash with Hearts.

With Celtic already coping with a stretched squad, the potential absence of two important players would only give Hoops boss more unnecessary headaches.

Arne Engels of Celtic celebrates at full time
Arne Engels of Celtic celebrates at full time during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Rodgers offered a brief but revealing update, conceding that the initial outlook for both players appeared worrying. Further medical evaluations today are set to determine how long the Celtic duo will be absent for.

Speaking via TNT Sports, Rodgers said: “The first two doesn’t look great, it looks like hamstring. But okay, that’s what happens.”

With the visit to Tynecastle fast approaching, the injuries come at a particularly inconvenient moment for the Scottish champions.

The likes of Colby Donovan, Anthony Ralston and Johnny Kenny may have to be called on again in Edinburgh this weekend. The availability of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Daizen Maeda remains uncertain.

Despite the injuries, Celtic’s victory last night was a big one in the context of their Europa League season. They will now travel to Denmark in two weeks time to face the competition’s table-toppers Midtjylland but will be confident of getting a result and staying in those elusive top 24 places.

Conor Spence

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie - Putting on the Style both by David Potter
Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star
Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties
Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

About Author

A current fourth year student studying History and Journalism, Media and Communications at the University of Strathclyde and now writing regularly about the Hoops for The Celtic Star.

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3 Comments

  1. Good result mussed big chances could have been 2 down byt started growing in confidence Engles on way back his deleveries so important shiuld have had 5 assists scales what a finish True Celtic celebrate when we are leading dont get me get wrong strum graffe arent Champions league but they didnt park the bus like hearts will do all there bravado talk at home at tyrne castle they will do what Celtic players have been up against home and away teams parking bus downgrading on ball boys dundee moved the cones where you put the balls for kick outs 25yds from posts so kerper cant mive the ball quickly small details to slow game down gamesmanship cheating i call it then time waisting ref blows to take it free kicks byekicks sgys if refs blows once uf ge has to blow a second time booking none of this two minutr talk that should be explained when refs talk to players in dressing room if i have to blow to remind you to take kick your booked done it to Dundee goal keeper done the trick yes time waisting some teams are at from start yes you could feel the confidence coming back to our infuencil players hiata started turning abd facing opponents instead of passing backwards Donavan is going to have a future at Celtic but the now his postinal is poor yes we played well got anither few gears to go i dont know if this squad can do that mayve anither three players but we suffocated strum granze in the second half pressing with all our players McGowan good player but in trying to tackle getting back hes to light thars why Engels should be playing he wins a lot of fifty fities add Forest what can I say after jumping in the air to avoid tackling against dundee instead of winning the ball and heading for Dundee byline he allowed full back to win after showing himself abd head for our byline Forest knew we had no fullback ekso his effort should have been win ball at all cost not a Cektic player tire into him maybe because we were two down but we gave to let your team know thats not good enough sane with poor pass not as bad as bottling it Firest aint the player we need fight hes been diong ymit for years thats why he will never be talk abiut A Celtic legend by supporters yes he has respect for years of service but we are on the way back dont want players in hoops not ta must jeep the good work frim last night annmd build on it that goes for fans mseen one big vaaber sack the board they no how we feel and desmond knows mistakes were made that caused us champion league spot we are in the compition that we Rodgers can start to build a new team we gave injuries but we should have plenty to beat hearts I just hearts believe we are there for the taking and come at us i doubt it Mc Innes knows a win for Celtic only result Celtic go for an anything is poor

  2. Yes good result score was no reflection on game Celtic should have won more easily Engles should have regestered 6 assists but poor finishing and good goalkeeping but he look the player we payed money for its hard his style of play teams in spl park the bus home and away against Dundee there goalkepper got cautioned for cayse referee had to blow twice hurry up pundut on sky sport live game says bit early for time waisting it was 20 game minutes into game ref was right thats the kaw not many referees in sxmcotland use and should law is if you have to blow twice you need to caution player its time wausting and hes been doing it since first kick his team mates are all in his own half has to waiste so the can go forward for freekick be lopped into our box even win second ball or get a corner our long throw into box thats fair to taje 3 minutes to do it is poor so beware referees and players second beep of whistle is a booking but thats the only time i have seen it this season it done the trick and kept the game moving Mcdermit i think was the ref and he done his best with the rules at his advantage time waisting is ruining our game. Another law that would help if a player stops the game going down with head knock he has to sit on sideline for 5 minutes for concussion check the we see how many roll about its another frusting another form games manship yes if uts genuine could save a life these cones round pitch for players to collect the ball kepp game in motion noticing at away games cine at goal posts so goal keppers can take quickly get the game going Dundee had theres half way from fag to post that stops bye kick getting taken quickly catch oposition defenders up field say for free kick corner long throw ins to get back into positon can our goal keeper not ask ref to bring cones to post yes poor these thing kill our game now we will see all this bravado hearts players and staff are on about will they go toe to toe with Celtic giving we played on thursday night we have suffered 2 maybe three injuries no way McInnes knows his team with all the hype there getting they are lucky teans dont park the bus because the know they have achance to beat them in reality is hearts werent playing lastnight is they werent good enough to qualify for europe kast night was a disaster for Scottish premier league Celtic only team winning because the way they play in league against Celtic is defend stop football getting played wether its moving cones to slow game down veining injuries divening not rolling pitch to make harder to pass the ball game dont turn sprinklers on especailly plastic pitches makes the ball run slowly abd can cuase serious injuries thats why sfa should make it manditory that pitches espacailly plastic and get rid of artificail pitches outlawed its a lot but if you love fast passing game of foitball agree with me i live tgis fane but without these changes its ruining the buiteful game dont make it so goid footballing teams are not allowed to play cause clubs see loops in ground rules