Celtic star Alistair Johnston managed to avoid a gruelling short turnaround double-header against Jamaica after he was omitted from the Canada starting eleven on Saturday.
Canada had been due to play away to the Jamaicans on Friday but severe rain meant it had to be moved to Saturday afternoon local time.
Had he been selected, as expected, there would have been a day less for Johnston to recover for the second leg of the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final, which takes place on Tuesday night in Toronto.
Given Celtic play at home to Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership next weekend, that would have been far from ideal for the Bhoys.
With the sun beating and temperatures high, Canada managed to pick up a 2-1 first-leg aggregate advantage regardless, thanks to goals from Jonathan David and Stephen Eustaquio.
Thankfully there is no sign of injury clouding Johnston’s surprise omission as he was substituted on in the final minutes of the encounter to ensure the away side closed out the narrow victory.
Alistair Johnston rest was needed ahead of heavy Celtic schedule
While Johnston is likely to now feature in the mid-week second leg, it’s good news he hasn’t been subject to too much exertion while travelling across the world with his country.
Since his return from an ankle injury that kept him out all summer, Johnston has featured in all but one of Celtic’s matches, making 14 appearances in total.
Rodgers has been conscious of the amount of work he’s doing, only naming him on the bench in a Celtic win over Ross County two weeks ago.
The Hoops have a hectic schedule until the mid-season winter break and Johnston will be needed for the majority of upcoming matches.
Anthony Ralston is in place to deputise but the Canadian has become a vital cog in the Celtic machine. Hopefully he gets through Tuesday with no issues and returns ready to go.
In other news, Celtic ‘keeping tabs’ on breakthrough Premiership midfielder.
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