Celtic told what is ‘mad’ about Alistair Johnston amid ‘massive’ news he is back in training

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The international break is usually dull for most Celtic fans, and it’s when they turn away from any off-field noise.

But given the drama in Glasgow, whether it’s the latest on Celtic fans’ meeting with the board, even the comedy show at Rangers, or Alistair Johnston returning from injury, there is always something bubbling away.

Brendan Rodgers has admitted that Celtic have been ‘nowhere near their best’, but the big and highly pressured matches are going to come thick and fast in the coming weeks, including a trip to Hearts, European games and the League Cup semi-final.

That’s why it’s great news that Johnston is back on the field, and Charlie Mulgrew shared his thoughts.

• READ MORE: Meet Alistair Johnston, the Celtic defender who has made the right-back slot his own

Alistair Johnston returns to Celtic training

Celtic youngster Colby Donovan filled in for some matches at right-back, and Mulgrew wanted to give the teenager his flowers for how he performed.

Speaking on Go Radio, the former Celtic defender made it clear that it’s ‘massive’ news for Rodgers that Johnston is back.

Mulgrew also claimed that it’s ‘mad’ someone like Johnston is a right-back, given the lung-busting forward runs that he makes.

Paul Cooney: “Alistair Johnston is back training. A bit of better news, Charlie, to lift the Celtic fans.”

Mulgrew: “Big player. Big, big player. Donovan has come in and done well. He hasn’t done himself any harm.

“But Johnston coming back, he is a huge player. Probably a bit early this weekend, you would imagine. But you never know. Massive.

“We are saying he is a right-back as well. That’s mad to think that, we spoke about it earlier. But his forward runs. The quality he brings on that side really helps, so good to have him back.”

Who is Celtic’s back-up right-back?

Anthony Ralston still earns minutes for Scotland, and given there is a huge chance Scotland will reach the 2026 World Cup, he doesn’t want that to change.

That will mean having to play, as regularly as possible, for Celtic, but will he get the nod ahead of Donovan?

Some supporters will make the argument that Donovan has performed better, with WhoScored providing him a rating of 6.62 so far this term.

On the other hand, Ralston has been rated by WhoScored at 6.91, and Rodgers will probably continue to give him the nod when rotating or resting Johnston, despite Donovan’s promising start.