Celtic striker Camilo Duran missed training ahead of Thursday’s Europa League match against Benfica to be with his partner for the birth of their child, manager Martin O’Neill confirmed. The 24-year-old Colombian sat out the session in Lisbon, sparking concerns over a possible injury that could have ruled him out of both the European clash and Sunday’s Scottish Premiership match against Hearts.
O’Neill told reporters the absence was due to family reasons rather than fitness issues. “Camilo is hoping to be out here later on; his partner’s having a baby, so he’d obviously want to be there at the birth. It depends on how it goes,” O’Neill said. “I haven’t heard any more news, but if everything goes alright without complications then he’ll come round.”
The striker’s potential involvement remains uncertain as Celtic prepare to face a strong Benfica side in Lisbon. Duran’s presence would be a boost given his role in attack, but the manager appeared understanding of the player’s priorities at this moment.
While Duran’s situation unfolded, O’Neill also provided updates on other squad members. Defender Auston Trusty returned to training and is available for selection after recovering from injury. In contrast, fellow centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers remains sidelined, missing the recent win over Motherwell and possibly the upcoming game against Hearts at Celtic Park.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old academy forward Lucas Clearie has been training with the first team ahead of the Benfica trip. Clearie, a Scotland Under-19 international, has impressed this season with 15 goals in 13 appearances in the Lowland League West. UEFA regulations allow Celtic to register an unlimited number of eligible Scottish-trained players on their B list, making Clearie eligible for selection if needed. However, it is unclear whether he travelled to Portugal or stayed behind.
Celtic’s preparations for the Europa League showdown come amid a packed schedule and injury concerns. The team faces Benfica on Thursday evening before returning to domestic competition against Hearts on Sunday. The manager’s comments suggest that while Duran’s absence from training raised eyebrows, the striker’s focus remains on family first.
The club congratulated Duran and his partner on the new arrival, adding a personal note amid the competitive demands of the season. Celtic will wait to see if the striker can join the squad in time for the match in Lisbon.
According to Yahoo Sports.