SAM JOHNSTONE has given Martin O’Neill a problem to solve ahead of Sunday’s Premier Sports League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox.
The Hoops manager handed the keeper a quickfire debut against St Johnstone last night just eight days after he had joined the champions on a season-long loan from Wolves.
Johnstone produced a stunning save to prevent Joel Cotterill giving the hosts the lead midway through the first-half of a hard-fought encounter at McDiarmid Park.
Mika Baur eventually settled the issue with the only goal of an often tense confrontation shortly after the interval following some clever footwork from the impressive Haissem Hassan to open up a passing opportunity and the German midfielder gratefully tucked his low cross into the inviting net.
IN WITH A SHOUT…Sam Johnstone encourages his new Celtic team-mates.
Johnstone also gave the champions a scare late in the game when he went down with what looked like an injury, but he admitted afterwards it was just a case of cramp as he played in his first game for six months.
With the 33-year-old netminder given a clean bill of health, boss O’Neill must decide between the four times-capped England international and Viljami Sinisalo, who has been the recognised No.1 since the enforced retirement of Kasper Schmeichel in February.
Reflecting on the moment he denied the Saints an opening goal, Johnstone, speaking to the Scottish Sun, said: “It was a quick save, but in my eyes that is what I am there to do.
“Thankfully, I made that save and we won 1-0.
“I had a little bit of cramp and not many goalies get that, but it was the adrenaline and emotion of a rollercoaster week.
“They are all big games and when I play, I prepare and do my best.
“The goalies support each other, we work closely together and whoever plays will be supported.”
Over to you, Martin.
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