Al-Ahli Saudi v Celtic – Too soon for AJ but CCV should start | OneFootball

It’s good to see AJ back in contention, there is no doubt that Celtic is a stronger team when the Canadian is in Brendan’s back four…

Alistair Johnston. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Alistair Johnston has been nothing short of superb since signing for the club in early 2023, so it was very refreshing to see him back on the training pitch as the players continue their pre-season preparations in the luxury surroundings of Como.

AJ represented Canada at the recent CONCACAF gold cup and hosted the competition alongside the USA. Canada were unfortunately eliminated at the quarter final stage after a shock loss to Guatemala on penalty kicks, thus allowing for a much needed extended break for the right back.

AJ will further strengthen our options in defence, as will Cameron Carter-Vickers who is also back in first team training, in what is a much needed boost with the season opener just under a week away. With the likes of AJ, CCV and Kieran Tierney present in the backline it makes us all that much stronger as a unit.

Graeme Shinnie of Aberdeen clashes with Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic during the Scottish Cup Final match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Hampden Park on May 24, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Carter-Vickers saw some action on Thursday night in that second half nightmare in Como when the roof fell in on Celtic after a very promising first half showing where the Hoops looked the better side. Ajax though were too hot to handle and it was clear that CCV has to go up the gears so hopefully he starts this evening in the final pre-season match of the summer, this time against Al-Ahli Saudi as we look to avoid leaving Lake Como with the wooden spoon.

The champions league play off is also looming at the end of August, so having all our more experienced and more ‘reliable’ players will be a welcome boost for the challenges that next campaign will bring, and both AJ and CCV are certainly in that category.

Cameron Carter-Vickers. Motherwell v Celtic, 2nd February 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou

Tonight will probably be too soon for Alistair Johnston, with Anthony Ralston once again likely to be called upon to play at right back against a very strong Saudi side. Ralston had a difficult night against Ajax but has done very well in the other matches, including the wins over Sporting and Newcastle, so he has had a decent pre-season, seeing plenty of action against quality sides.

Raul Moro of Ajax competes for the ball with Anthony Ralston of Celtic FC during the Como Cup match between Ajax and Celtic FC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 24, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

But when Alistair Johnston is ready to return, probably next Sunday against St Mirren on Flag Day at Celtic Park then, Celtic will certainly be a stronger side.

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Read this – The backstory to Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter

Thank you to everyone who has already pre-ordered the late David Potter’s last ever Celtic book, Celtic in the Eighties, which will be published on the fifth day of September by Celtic Star Books. The link to pre-order your copy is below…

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, out 5 September 2025. Available to pre-order now.

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