ALISTAIR JOHNSTON could go face to face with his Celtic pal Cameron Carter-Vickers in California this evening.
The Hoops defensive duo are on a collision course with Canada due to take on the USA in the third-place play-off of the CONCACAF Nations League competition.
Both countries were involved in shock reverses during the week with Johnston’s side suffering a 2-0 loss to Mexico while the hosts were sent packing with a stoppage-time goal from Panama.
Carter-Vickers didn’t get the opportunity to come off the substitutes’ bench as Mauricio Pochettino’s team, three-time winners of the trophy, collapsed late in their encounter in Los Angeles.
UPS…Alistair Johnston celebrates Nicolas Kuhn’s goal against Bayern Munich along with Daizen Maeda and Jeffrey Schlupp in the Allianz Arena.
Fans’ favourite Johnston has experienced some turbulence on the club and country fronts in recent weeks, but, overall, believes this has been “a great season for me.”
The right-back and Carter-Vickers struggled in the 3-2 loss to Barry Ferguson’s Ibrox outfit at Parkhead last weekend.
There was also the 2-1 defeat against Hibs at Easter Road and the Champions League exit against Bayern Munich, despite the heroic performance in the Bavarian capital before a goal in the last seconds of the encounter sealed the fate of Brendan Rodgers’ side.
With eight league games to play and the champions 13 points ahead plus a Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone at Hampden next month to look forward to, Johnston took time during the international break to reflect on the campaign as it heads for a conclusion.
The 26-year-old right-back said: “It has been a great season for me, I don’t think there is any doubts about that, in terms of the number of matches I’ve played, some of the matches that I have played at the very highest level against Bayern Munich – seeing my team match up with them.
“It does bring a lot of pride to myself and my family back home, realising that I do belong on that field with them.
DOWNS…Alistair Johnston is grounded after hitting the ball over the bar from six yards and missing the opportunity of a stoppage-time equaliser in the 3-2 derby loss at Parkhead.
“But, there have obviously been some ups and downs. It’s not always perfect.
“I have done a good job as I have got older to not really get caught up in the highs and the lows. Just try and keep it steady – it’s not as good as you think and it’s not as bad as you think.
‘So, even when the results aren’t as good as you would necessarily like – and it has been exactly that with Celtic over the last month.”
Johnston, speaking to One Soccer, continued: “It hasn’t been as easy as the start of the season.
“We are going through that patch and it’s the same with the national team.
“It’s not always going to be easy, the ref in that first-half [against Mexico]felt like he wanted to send me off at any possible moment, but you just have to get through that.
“That is something I have learned and matured on – and off – the pitch in dealing with that kind of stuff.”
The defender added: “So, when I sit back and kind of look back on the year, I do think it will be my most successful calendar year of professional football.
“And I am pretty proud of that.”
SCOTLAND THE RAVE…Anthony Ralston clears up a moment of danger in his nation’s 1-0 win over Greece in Piraeus.
Johnston, though, can expect competition from Anthony Ralston for the No.2 position in the silverware run-in.
The academy product has now played more minutes for Scotland after getting a call-up from Steve Clarke for the UEFA Nations League play-offs against Greece.
Ralston played 89 minutes of last week’s 1-0 win in Piraeus and emphasised he in in good shape for the forthcoming challenges at club level.
Rodgers has a decision to make before the visit of Hearts to Parkhead on Saturday.
