Alistair Johnston has opened up on the friendly rivalry between him and Cameron Carter-Vickers at Celtic.
With both being internationals — Johnston for Canada and Carter-Vickers for the US — the pair came up against each other recently in the CONCACAF Nations League 3rd place play-off.
Johnston revealed exactly what went on and how Canada’s victory affected his friendship with Carter-Vickers.
He said: (Celtic FC), “He (Cameron Carter-Vickers) was telling me before the match, that don’t come near me, I’ll have to two-foot you, and I was like ‘All right, okay, yeah’ and we’re having a little back and forth before the match.
“So obviously we were up two and I was in a great mood he maybe wasn’t in as good a mood and there was a little scuffle in the corner, and I saw him going after one of my guys, so that was my opportunity to just go fly in there and grab him, and I was laughing at him and he had to break character as well.
“He couldn’t really stay too mad when he saw me come in there and grab him and push him out of the way.
“But, look, we have a great time. It is funny that he plays for my biggest rival, but we enjoy that too.
“There’s good, friendly banter with that. Also, bring in Auston Trusty as well, another American contingent so it’s been a good laugh, and you play for bragging rights, definitely.
“So I knew on that flight back he was sitting beside me the whole way. I had a big smile on my face the whole time, so that definitely helped.”
It’s great to hear that differences were put aside almost immediately after such a feisty game — even on the flight — given how often the pair see each other almost every day.
Their friendship goes beyond international rivalries. With some fighting talk ahead of their clash, Johnston did his talking on the pitch with a 2-1 win.
Each will be in contention for a place in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year, as the pair have been standouts for Celtic this season.
