Alistair Johnston, who has yet to feature under Brendan Rodgers, is on the brink of returning to action for Celtic.
After spending 12 days back in training, the Canadian international may play a role in the upcoming match.
Rodgers, during his pre-match press conference on Thursday, confirmed that Johnston, who sustained an injury during international duty, is back and available for selection.
In a deeper discussion with The Herald, the Celtic manager hinted that he had the option of bringing Johnston back into the fold the previous weekend. However, he chose against it due to concerns about the artificial playing surface. Rodgers elaborated:
“He will be available for the squad,” he confirmed. “Over the past 11 or 12 days, he’s been impressive in training. We opted not to include him for the match on the artificial pitch [at Kilmarnock], but he’s had another promising week. His availability is a significant boost for us.”
As the team prepares for the clash at Ibrox next week, Rodgers will be eager to present a cohesive unit, especially in the defensive areas. It seems likely that Alistair Johnston will be in the starting eleven against St Johnston.
Given Celtic’s recent defensive struggles, many believe Johnston, considered a superior choice to Tony Ralston, could be the vital addition they need to solidify their backline.
