Celtic clinched a hard-fought victory over Ross County this past Saturday, narrowly edging out their opponents with a 1-0 scoreline. The sole goal, an unexpected contribution, came from the boot of right-back Alastair Johnston.

In a dramatic twist of events, Johnston’s initial shot was deflected within the opening minute, eventually finding its way into the back of the net. A subsequent and extensive VAR review confirmed the goal, propelling the Hoops into an early lead – a lead that, unbeknownst to us at the time, would ultimately decide the match.

The game was not without its share of drama and missed opportunities, particularly evident in Celtic’s execution of penalties. Luis Palma, initially thwarted in his penalty attempt, was granted a rare reprieve due to a Ross County player encroaching the box prematurely. However, Palma’s second attempt mirrored the first, as he failed to convert, striking the ball in a similar fashion and direction as his initial effort.

Despite the game’s shortcomings, it will undoubtedly remain a memorable one for Alastair Johnston. His contribution to the victory has not gone unnoticed, especially on social media. In a light-hearted exchange, Celtic’s Matt O’Riley jested that Johnston’s goal was a strong contender for ‘goal of the season’, to which Johnston humorously replied with aspirations for a ‘Puskas nomination’.

This interaction is just one of many between the duo this season, highlighting what appears to be a burgeoning bromance between the two. Both Johnston and O’Riley are pivotal members of the team, their bond off the pitch seemingly paralleling their importance on it.