Tomas Cvancara, Kelechi Iheanacho and Johnny Kenny updates

Celtic could be forced into a late fitness decision on Johnny Kenny ahead of their weekend visit to Hearts, O’Neill confirmed in his presser yesterday to the mainstream media as The Celtic Star and other fan media outlets continue to be in the dark about access.

Kenny is undergoing medical assessments after suffering a calf issue in Thursday’s Europa League outing against Bologna.

His involvement in tomorrow’s showdown encounter at Tynecastle, which is a must not lose for Celtic, remains in doubt.

O’Neill said via Celtic’s official YouTube channel, O’Neill said: “Johnny Kenny picked up a bit of a calf strain, so we will see how that is. He has gone for some sort of scans this afternoon. We will see. He might be a doubt. He just said he felt it during the course of time he was on.”

However, the Hoops Celtic could hand Tomas Cvancara an immediate opportunity if Kenny fails to recover in time.

The recent Czech recruit continued his settling-in process this week, taking part in a session with the B side on Thursday before joining the main squad when they resumed training at Lennoxtown on Friday.

The Celtic boss said: “He trained yesterday with the B lads and trained this morning and he is ready to go. I wouldn’t want to put too much pressure on him. But let him get settled in, I think he will make an impact, and hope he does. He could start on Sunday.”

Kelechi Iheanacho has rejoined Celtic training, although the striker is still working his way back to full match fitness and is unlikely to be named in the starting line-up, despite being in contention to play.

O’Neill continued: “He trained today. I think that might be his second day. He didn’t travel with us. He did fine today. Glad to see him back. It might be a bit of a stretch to start him in a game at the moment but at least he is going to be available.”

Conor Spence

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