Champions League challenge next for Celtic’s talented Canadian | OneFootball

Alistair Johnston is expected back at Lennoxtown today, as the final arrival of Celtic players in their staggered return from the close-season after various commitments in international football in Asia plus at Euro 2024 and Copa America 2024.

While Celtic have four players in Steve Clarke’s squad in the ill-fated Scotland campaign in Germany with Callum McGregor and Anthony ralston playing in all three matches against the host nation, Switzerland and Hungary while James Forrest and Greg Taylor were unused substitutes in the three matches.

Both Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate had international commitments with Japan while Cameron Carter-Vickers was in the USA squad at Copa America.

However the most notable Celt on the international stage this summer was surely Alistair Johnston representing Canada at Copa America 2024.

Canada made the third place play off match against Uruguay which was played on 13 July, losing on penalties after Luis Suarez scored a late equaliser in the 2-2 draw which was played at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina in the United States.

Unquestionably, the 25 year old Celtic right-back  Alistair Johnston was the stand-out performer for Canada at Copa America and he followed that up by returning to Scotland where he proposed down at Turnberry on the Ayrshire coast, to his long-term Canadian girlfriend Peyton Pesavento, who for the record said yes. Alistair is certainly a lucky Bhoy, so much so that he should consider extending his good fortune with a successful visit to gamblizard.ca where he could hit the jackpot all over again!

Congratulations to both Alistair and Peyton on their engagement.

Now with all that summer excitement over Johnston will be back at Lennoxtown probably today to begin work with his Celtic teammates as the Scottish Champions prepare for the flag-day opener against Kilmarnock on Sunday afternoon, which has a 4.30pm kick-off slot (Celtic Park Time).

Alistair Johnston may sit this one out with Anthony Ralston starting at right back. Ralston was solid in the United Stares tour as Celtic recorded three wins from three, scoring four goals in each match and of course beating both the English Champions Manchester City and their Premier League rivals Chelsea.

Those results might not could for much in the grand scheme of things but the performances certainly will, especially in the new format Champions League where Celtic will face many more opponents and if they can replicate the quality of football that was shown against Manchester City and Chelsea than Brendan Rodgers could begin to make his mark in European football with Celtic. That was his stated ambition when re returned to the club just over a year ago after his spell at Leicester City.

Alistair Johnston will undoubtedly be the choice as Brendan Rodgers’ first pick right back this season and after taking his game to another level at Copa America, we could be about to see the very best of Alistair Johnston in a Celtic jersey this season, which will be especially important in those high stakes Champions League encounters.

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