SAM JOHNSTONE should make his second Celtic appearance against Derek McInnes’ side in the Premier Sports League Cup quarter-final in the High Noon shoot-out at Ibrox on Sunday.
That’s the verdict of former Hoops skipper Scott Brown who watched the on-loan Wolves keeper keep a clean sheet on his debut in the 1-0 victory over St Johnstone in Perth in midweek.
Martin O’Neill decided to rest Viljami Sinisalo, the team’s recognised No.1 following the enforced retirement of Kasper Schmeichel in February, to give the 33-year-old ex-England international shotstopper an early test at McDiarmid Park just a week after his arrival.
The netminder took the opportunity to make a solid first impression with an assured performance that included a spectacular tip-over save to deny Joel Cotterill when the scoreline was still blank.
A BIG HAND…Sam Johnstone applauds the Celtic fans after his debut in Perth.
Brown is convinced he is the man for the job in Govan on an afternoon there will not be a Celtic fan in sight.
The team’s much-decorated one-time onfield leader said: “I know Sam Johnstone’s just in the door, but I do believe he plays.
“I think Martin O’Neill brought in Sam on Wednesday to show that he can still do it. When he was called upon, he did really, really well and made some big saves.
“Look, I think Viljami Sinisalo’s a good goalie, but at the moment, I do think Sam is probably better and better settled for these big games.”
Brown, speaking to the Glasgow Times, added: “Sinisalo’s young. He’s still learning.
“You’ve seen Colby Donovan, Dane Murray, Auston Trusty and even Liam Scales, all quite young, as in the amount of games they’ve played and the Rangers v Celtic games that they’ve played in.
“So, I think Johnstone’s experience, and obviously being down in England playing in huge games, will definitely help that back four.”
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