Brendan Rodgers has delivered a timely boost for Celtic ahead of Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup Final against Rangers by revealing that Alistair Johnston is expected to be fit and available for selection.
The Canadian right-back, who limped off during the midweek Champions League draw with Dinamo Zagreb due to a hip issue, appears to have recovered in time for the clash at Hampden Park.
Rodgers provided a positive update on Johnston’s condition during his pre-match press conference, stating: [SunSport]
“The squad is healthy. We expect Ali to be healthy and he will be out on the pitches this afternoon.
“Hopefully we have everyone fit and available.
“We just gave him an extra bit of recovery on Friday morning.
“He has been an outstanding player for us and has been instrumental in our work.
“Speaking to him today, he was fine. So we expect him to be okay.”
Johnston’s availability is a major boost for Celtic, given his consistent performances and reliability since joining the club in January 2023. The 26-year-old has become a key figure in Rodgers’ side and has built up a great partnership with Nicolas Kuhn.
The injury scare came during the first half of the draw with Dinamo Zagreb, where Johnston was forced off at halftime following a robust challenge. He was replaced by Tony Ralston, who provided adequate cover, but the drop-off in quality between the two players was noticeable.
You do wonder if it’s an area that Brendan Rodgers will look to strengthen in the upcoming windows. It’s not a priority right now, but a quality back up for AJ would be a great addition to the squad.
