AJ’s experience this summer will do him and the club the world of good….
Alistair Johnston, Aberdeen v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, 3 February 2024 Photo Mark Runnacles/Shutterstock
Callum McGregor, Greg Taylor, Tony Ralston and James Forrest are of course on international duty with Scotland in Germany, but another member of the Celtic squad is also on international duty across the Atlantic.
That man would be Alistair Johnston who is representing Canada in the Copa America which is being held in the United States. The right back has already faced Leo Messi and co on Friday night as the Canadians lost out 2-0 to the current World Champions.
Despite the result it would have been a good experience for AJ to have pitted his wits against the talented South Americans. He will only be better for the experience, and that in turn will benefit Celtic. AJ will have picked up some valuable lessons playing against world class players just like Callum McGregor and Tony Ralston would have experienced playing against the likes of Germany, Switzerland and Hungary in the group stages at Euro 2024.
Canada’s defender #02 Alistair Johnston fights for the ball with Belgium’s forward #10 Eden Hazard during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Belgium and Canada at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on November 23, 2022. (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
It doesn’t end there for AJ as next up is Peru and then finally a clash against Chile, and while both sides are not as formidable as the Argentines, they are still decent opposition.
To have our players playing against some of the best in the world will only sharpen their ability, and with some tough games ahead next season in the revamped Champions League it stands the players and club in good stead.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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