Dark-arts agenda against Alistair Johnston continues | OneFootball

The dark-arts agenda against Alistair Johnston continues…

Alistair Johnston during the Premier Sports Cup Final between Celtic and theRangers at Hampden on Sunday 15 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Alistair Johnston has been somewhat the victim of a smear campaign recently. Most notably by former referees Des Roache and Steve Conroy aided by the SMSM they labelled AJ as ‘a master of the dark arts’.

Birmingham, 29th January 2025. Alistair Johnston during the UEFA Champions League match at Villa Park. Photo: Cody Froggatt / Sportimage

Both seem to have an agenda against the Canadian international for some reason, and that has been allowed to grow with a fellow professional also coming out to slam the multi trophy winning right back.

Blair Spittal of Hearts was on a podcast recently and accused AJ of calling him a ‘little bitch’ during a clash with his former club Motherwell last season.

I don’t know about you but I’m shocked that a professional footballer has used a curse word aimed in the direction of his opponent during the course of a game.

Alistair Johnston. Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

I’m being sarcastic of course, and using curse words to goad your opponent goes on all the time between professional footballers, it’s nothing new. As long as it’s not a remark that could be considered as abusing someone whether that be because of their colour, ethnicity, religion or sexuality etc, I don’t really think it’s truly worthy of a headline.

For some reason this has been seen as newsworthy, and I think we all know the reason why.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Alistair Johnston in action during the Premier Sports Cup Final victory over theRangers at Hampden on 15 December 2024. Photo AJ for The Celtic Star