ALISTAIR JOHNSTON’S determined 71-minute heroics in Celtic’s Premier Sports League Cup Final at the weekend was NOT what the doctor ordered.
The resolute Canadian international right-back played through the pain barrier as he lifted his sixth medal at the champions since his £3.75million arrival from MLS outfit CF Montreal in January 2023.
Johnston sustained an injury in the Hoops’ scoreless stalemate against Dinamo Zagreb in Champions League matchday six in Croatia on Tuesday, but there was no way he was going to miss the silverware showpiece showdown against Philippe Clement’s Ibrox side at Hampden five days later.
The defender didn’t train in the countdown to the derby confrontation with the first trophy of the season up for grabs.
A BHOY ALONE…Alistair Johnston caught in a reflective pose during a lull in play at Hampden.
The Vancouver-born international ace lasted until the 71st minute against Rangers before being forced to leave the scene of battle with the reliable Anthony Ralston taking over.
Johnston reflected on the huge occasion and a seesawing encounter that ended 3-3 after extra-time and was settled 5-4 on penalty-kicks for Celtic and said: “It was a crazy match.
“I knew it was going to be a bit hectic and those are the kind of games that shave years off your life. I’m just glad we got out with the result and trophy.
“It was one of the reasons I signed for Celtic. To play in Cup Finals and it’s always fun when it’s a 50-50 split like that. Both sets of supporters helped create a great atmosphere and made it pretty special to play in.
“Even though I was injured, it made me want to fight through it just to be part of that kind of game. It’s always special playing at Hampden and lifting the trophy in front of our fans at the end is also special.”
Johnston may have defied club doctors to turn out at the national stadium, but the odds are stacked against him staging a replay against Dundee United at Tannadice on Sunday.
PRIZE GUYS…Alistair Johnston (back row, fifth right) joins in with skipper Callum McGregor, boss Brendan Rodgers and team-mates as Celtic celebrate their Hampden success.
The 26-year-old performer, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “I guess we’ll just see. Realistically, I might not have played on Sunday if it hadn’t been a Cup Final, but I made it pretty clear to the medical staff that I want to be available and do everything possible.
“The whole plan was for me to try not to put myself in an awkward position where I could potentially tweak something, but I had a weird slip about 10 minutes in and I knew right then that it was going to be a long game to get through.
“I fought through and when we got to 2-1 I thought: ‘I’m really struggling here, let’s bring Tony on’. Then all of sudden it got even more chaotic in a way with the scoreline and everything.
“But I’m just happy we managed to lift the trophy. It’s going to be one of those ones I’ll look back on and have probably forgotten that I came off in the match or was fighting through anything.
“All that really matters is that you have the trophy in your cabinet.”
Asked about the difference between playing and spectating, Johnston answered: “What was harder? It’s a toss up. Watching when you can’t affect the game after you come off is really frustrating.
“At the same time, though, I thought Tony did a great job. It wasn’t an easy game to come into with how they were playing and pressing us, and we were a bit all over the shop.
“It was a crazy match to watch, but at the end of the day you just have to come out of these matches with a win – and we did, so we’re really happy.”
