With Hearts dropping points at the weekend, and Celtic winning, the Hoops are now right back in the mix as we head towards a title run-in. Martin O'Neill's side had actually lost a bit of ground when they had fallen five points behind. That gap now stands at three.

Also, with Celtic playing four of their last six league games at home, they have an added advantage, albeit how slim, over their two title rivals. It remains to be seen if they can make the most of it.

What is not helping Celtic at the moment is that they are dealing with constant injury problems. And right-back seems to be an area that is particularly affected.

Alistair Johnston was closing in on a return but suffered a further setback while away with the Canadian national team during the international break. Julian Araujo is injured as well and has returned to Bournemouth to undergo treatment. The loanee might not play again this season. And now, it looks like a third option could be out of action.

In the absence of Johnston and Araujo, Colby Donovan seemed to be the first-choice right-back in the eyes of O'Neill. Unfortunately, the manager might need to rethink things again.

According to The Scottish Sun, Donovan suffered a knock against Dundee. He was rushed for a scan after the game. O’Neill is now braced for more potential bad news on the injury front.

This comes at the worst possible time for Celtic. Donovan had been subbed off in the 68th minute and if he needs to spend time on the sidelines as well, O'Neill's options at right-back will be paper thin.

Anthony Ralston would literally be the only option left in that position. And he is not someone that O'Neill has played a ton.

It might be Ralston's time to step up and be counted. Let's hope that he can turn back the clock to the 21/22 season. In Ange Postecoglou's debut season at Celtic, options were paper-thin for quite a while as well.

At that point, Ralston was one of the players who exceeded all expectations and contributed as a starter for Celtic. Before then, he was not even considered a squad option by many and would mostly find himself out on loan.

Ralston made 47 appearances that season and scored five times, including late winners. It would prove vital as Celtic won the double after going trophyless and finishing 25 points behind the Rangers in the previous season.

Celtic will be hoping for similar heroics from Ralston this time around, if he finds himself back as the club's starting right-back moving forward.

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