Rest and be Thankful – Why Alistair Johnston deserves a break

The Celtic Star

·19 December 2024

Rest and be Thankful – Why Alistair Johnston deserves a break

Alistair Johnston is a player who is a very important part of Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic side…

Alistair Johnston before the Premier Sports Cup Final between Celtic and theRangers at Hampden on Sunday 15 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The Canadian international is very much like Callum McGregor in that he is one of those players who plays each and every game, but I think we can all agree that the time has come for AJ to be given a much needed rest.

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Johnston was injured in the recent Champions League game against Dinamo Zagreb, but recovered and played from the start in Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final win over theRangers before being replaced by Anthony Ralston in the 70th minute, most likely due to effects of the knock he was carrying beforehand.

It’s quite clear that AJ is playing with some discomfort, so I think now is the time to let him sit on the sidelines for a few games in order to protect him going forward.

Alistair Johnston before the Premier Sports Cup Final between Celtic and theRangers at Hampden on Sunday 15 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The next three games which are against Dundee United at Tannadice plus both Motherwell and St Johnstone at Paradise is the chance to rest AJ especially with no fewer than nine fixtures to negotiate in January.

The rest will do him the world of good as a fit and healthy AJ will only strengthen our chances of being successful. Bring him back fully recovered and fighting fit or our visit to Ibrox on 2 January 2025 which will be even more intense after the SFA admitted VAR penalty miss at the weekend.

Alistair Johnston during the Premier Sports Cup Final between Celtic and theRangers at Hampden on Sunday 15 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

If Celtic can win our remaining three games in 2024 (and they are all very much winnable), we will go to Ibrox at least 11 points clear of theRangers and that’s a big enough cushion to allow us to relax and enjoy the show. We can expect a leveller in the Honest Mistake department and we can probably rule out us getting anything from the officials at the other end, even if it’s a stonewaller.

Anthony Ralston during the Premier Sports Cup Final between Celtic and theRangers at Hampden on Sunday 15 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Winning there would be extra special and Brendan will be relishing the prospect. That’s why Alistair Johnston should be there and should be there back to his best, 100% fit. In the meantime Anthony Ralston will do a decent job seeing out Celtic’s December fixtures.

Anthony Ralston celebrates after Celtic’s Premier Sports Cup Final victory over theRangers at Hampden on Sunday 15 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

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