ALISTAIR JOHNSTON received deserved praise for his clever run and immaculate chip that presented Daizen Maeda with the opportunity to glide in Celtic’s 100th goal of a swashbuckling crusade.
The Canadian World Cup right-back was immediately applauded after the Japanese raider had claimed the champions’ second goal in the 4-1 win over traumatised Kilmarnock at Rugby Park yesterday.
However, Johnston, another astute purchase by Ange Postecoglou, hardly received a word of acclaim for his efforts in the breakthrough goal in the seventh minute which was claimed by the prolific Kyogo Furuhashi to propel his season’s tally to 29.
SHAKE ON IT, MATE…Kyogo Furuhashi is congratulated by Alistair Johnston after flashing Celtic into the lead.
DAIZEN THE CENTURIAN…Celtic raider Maeda turns away after heading in Alistair Johnston’s right-wing cross for the Hoops’ second goal against Killie – and their 100th strike of the season.
The hosts’ Fraser Murray was pilloried for his wayward back pass that was seized upon by the fleet-footed Hoops ace who took off, leaving Joe Wright floundering in his slipstream, before cutting back onto his left foot and angling a low drive under the body of sprawling keeper Sam Walker.
However, please look again at these pictures provided by the good folk at Celtic TV Unique Angle.
The images show the part Johnston played in hounding and harassing the Killie player out of the Celtic half before delivering a mishit pass to Wright.
Boss Postecoglou used the word “relentless” a few times when he talked to the media afterwards.
Johnston, a £3.5million recruit from MLS outfit CF Montreal at the turn of the year, certainly played his part in that accolade.
TWO-GOAL O’RILEY STARS IN HOOPS WHIRLWIND
