ALISTAIR JOHNSTON is awaiting the green light from Brendan Rodgers to return to first-team action.
The Canadian international right-back has been sidelined for the past two games – the 1-1 draw at Ibrox and yesterday’s 3-1 win over Hibs at Parkhead.
However, the popular defender, who has been troubled with a persistent hip problem, could get the nod to make his comeback when the champions travel to Pittodrie on Wednesday for a Scottish Cup Final dress rehearsal against Aberdeen.
Anthony Ralston has deputised for Johnston in the previous outings and played particularly well in the victory over the Edinburgh side where his clever pass forward opened the way for Nicolas Kuhn to net the equaliser after Martin Boyle had fired the visitors into the lead.
HIGH HOPES…Alistair Johnston celebrates with Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn in the 5-0 title-clinching triumph over Dundee United at Tannadice – now he could hit the heights against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
With the last Premiership encounter against St Mirren scheduled for Saturday when the glittering silverware is handed over for the thirteenth time in 14 years, Rodgers is eager to have a full pool of players from which to choose his matchday squad for the Hampden showpiece.
Kasper Schmeichel reclaimed the No.1 spot from Viljami Sinisalo yesterday after missing six successive matches with the shoulder injury he sustained while on international duty for Denmark in March.
Cameron Carter-Vickers was rested against the Easter Road outfit and is unlikely to feature against the Dons in midweek, but could get some minutes against the Paisley side before the manager formulates his plans for the crusade’s crescendo at the national stadium a week on Saturday.
Rodgers, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “Alistair Johnson will be back for Wednesday. It’s just about keeping the freshness in the team.
“The target is to arrive at the Scottish Cup Final with as many of the players with minutes in their legs and that gives us an opportunity to choose the team and a bench to win.”
