Alistair Johnston has exited the 2026 World Cup stage in pain, but with his head held high.
After a record-breaking run, the Celtic defender and his Canada teammates watched their World Cup run end at the last-16 stage against a high-quality Morocco team.
Although 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco were the better team in Houston and secured a 3-0 victory, you wouldn’t know it from Jesse Marsch’s comments.
The Canada coach has previously been likened to the fictional character Ted Lasso, and he doesn’t help those comparisons with some of his post-match comments.
Are you worried Alistair Johnston’s World Cup performances results in him leaving Celtic? 😬🍀
Interest is growing as Johnston thrives with Canada… 🇨🇦
What did Jesse Marsch say after Canada were beaten by Morocco at the World Cup?
”What a privilege our fans had to root for a team like this that goes after the game, that doesn’t play defensive, that shows that they can be better,” Marsch told the press post-match.
“I’d rather be us than them. As good as Morocco is, I’d rather be us.”
There are several things comical here.
Number one, you can see the Ted Lasso jibes when Marsch claims, ‘What a privilege our fans had to root for a team like this.’
But the lack of acknowledgement towards Morocco, and even suggesting ‘I’d rather be us.’ What? A losing team, rather than a winning one?!
You even had former Premier League striker Troy Deeney labelling it ‘the most stupid thing I have heard’ on CBS Sports, and he isn’t wrong!
Alistair Johnston shows his coach how it should be done
Sometimes, you just need to show some class, and Johnston has that in abundance.
As many Celtic fans would have seen over the years, Johnston speaks so well in the media and represents himself and the club really well.
While Marsch embarrassed himself again, and he is getting verbal pelters for it, Johnston showed his international boss how it’s done.
“I just hope … that they saw a Canadian team that was not afraid of anyone, that played how I think we always want all of our Canadian teams to play — it doesn’t matter the sport,” said Johnston post-match.
“We all wore our hearts on our sleeves, we left it all out there, we went toe to toe with any challenge that was thrown at us, and we played with that Canadian honesty and just resilience that I think really kind of resonates with the people back home.
“We knew when you’re playing against a team of this quality that it’s not going to be easy, and even if you play your best, you’re going to need a little bit of luck. And unfortunately, the ball just didn’t go in the back of the net for us.”
Johnston will now rest up and return to Celtic’s pre-season training in around three weeks time.
Upon his return, Martin O’Neill will be in the dugout, and he certainly doesn’t spout the nonsense that comes out of Marsch’s mouth.
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