O'Neill on key duo's fitness, Celtic strikers & 'big miss' Yang

Martin O'Neill has been speaking to the media before Celtic visit St Johnstone in the Premiership on Wednesday (20:00 BST). Here are the key lines from the Celtic boss: Striker Kasper Hogh has been back in training the past couple of days and fellow injury absentee Kieran Tierney returned to work with the squad this morning. Both are in contention for the game, with Hogh the likelier, while there are "a couple of other fitness issues for players". O'Neill has high hopes for Chelsea loan striker Shim Mheuka, who was denied a goal in the weekend win over St Mirren by a contentious offside decision. "I expect him to do well. He looks a player," says O'Neill of the 18-year-old. "I wouldn't want to be throwing a host of accolades in someone's direction if they're not up for it, but I think he's definitely capable." With Hogh, Mheuka, Camilo Duran and Callum Osmand, O'Neill says Celtic "definitely have better options up front than we had last season". He adds that last term he was "wondering where the goals were going to come from". South Korea winger Yang Hyun-jun will be a "big miss" for Celtic when he is absent for the next four games because of Asian Games duty. O'Neill continues: "He's playing exceptionally well for what he does with the ball. It's terrific, he's scored a couple of very important goals for us. And what he's doing without the ball, I don't think anybody could question his workrate. He's been great since I've come in here. I think he's just responded to a bit of encouragement." O'Neill is not allowing himself to look ahead to Sunday's derby with Rangers in the League Cup quarter-final, insisting Wednesday's game in Perth is "far more important" for the defending Premiership champions. The loan arrival of Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone provides "very important" competition for Viljami Sinisalo, with O'Neill insisting "goalkeepers should be challenged". O'Neill says it is "really pleasing" Johnstone wants to be Celtic number one: "It's not that long ago he was involved with the England squad. He's determined, he's looked really good in training, and at some stage he will get into a game because it will be necessary for him." O'Neill praises Simo Valakari's "really talented" St Johnstone, adding: "It's nice to see them. They want to play football as well and they're committed. There's a vitality about them which is very encouraging. Not dissimilar in many aspects to what Craig McLeish is doing at St Mirren." [BBC]