What the Canadian media said about Alistair Johnston as Celtic star’s World Cup ends v Morocco

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It was a bitter end to Alistair Johnston’s World Cup journey on Saturday.

The Celtic defender had performed so well to help Canada reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history.

But it came to an abrupt end at the last-16 stage, as a classy and high-quality Morocco side ran the show in Houston, with Johnston playing the entire game.

Johnston has been getting rave reviews at this summer’s World Cup, as the Canadian media haven’t been too critical of their star players, despite a crushing 3-0 defeat that ended it all.

• READ MORE: Chris Sutton adds to Alistair Johnston exit talk as ‘big clubs’ note World Cup form

Are you worried Alistair Johnston’s World Cup performances results in him leaving Celtic? 😬🍀

Interest is growing as Johnston thrives with Canada… 🇨🇦

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Canadian media agree about Alistair Johnston’s performance v Morocco

This was by far Canada’s and Johnston’s toughest test because it was against a high-ranking and high-performing Moroccan side.

As noted by Sportsnet, Johnston had the task of dealing with Manchester United’s attacking fullback Noussair Mazraoui on his side.

Sportsnet wrote: ‘Johnston enacted the Canadian game plan early with a hearty challenge on Ounahi eight minutes into the match. The Celtic fullback was limited going forward, however, with Noussair Mazraoui effectively shackling the right side of the Canadian threat in the second half.’

They provided the Celtic right-back with a rating of six out of ten, just like DAZN Canada, who stated: ‘Steady defensively; late shot went wide during Canada’s desperate push,’, as well as Yahoo Sports.

Johnston and his Canadian teammates labelled ‘heroes forever’

Johnston can hold his head high because he has gone down in history.

Yes, there was a bigger limelight on Canada on world football’s biggest stage because they were co-hosting it alongside the United States of America and Mexico.

But something needs to be said about Canada not playing all their games on home soil despite co-hosting the tournament.

Either way, as OneSoccer’s social media account posted, these players, including Johnston, are history-makers, and as they put it, ‘Canadian heroes. Forever.’

One Soccer wrote on social media: ‘They made their country proud. They fought for every minute. They made history, no matter this result. Canadian heroes. Forever. ❤️ #CanMNT 🇨🇦’