This is a special World Cup for Celtic defender Alistair Johnston.
Not only is Johnston competing on world football’s biggest stage, but the Canadian star is able to do it on home soil…for a temporary basis.
Canada are co-hosting this summer’s World Cup, alongside the United States of America and Mexico – all three nations have qualified for the knockout stages.
But Canada’s final group game defeat to Switzerland on Wednesday meant that they finished second in their group, and will now have to play their knockout matches in the States.
Speaking to the Vancouver Sun, Johnston rightfully called out this nonsense and how it’s a ‘letdown’ that Canada still can’t play in front of their own fans in a tournament they are co-hosting.
- READ MORE: Ally McCoist told about the Celtic fan assistant working with Alistair Johnston at the World Cup
Are you worried Alistair Johnston’s World Cup performances results in him leaving Celtic? 😬🍀
Interest is growing as Johnston thrives with Canada… 🇨🇦
Alistair Johnston ‘frustrated’ as Canada prepare for last 32 match against South Africa
“Yeah, it’s a home World Cup, but after the group stage, and you’re not getting to stay in your home country, it definitely has been frustrating,” said Johnston.
“That crowd’s been so good for us, and it’s kind of a letdown that we can’t play another game in front of them, but at the same time, look, we’re in the knockout stage of a World Cup. There’s quite a bit of excitement with that.
“This is the bare minimum of what we wanted, and that goes to show where we’re at as a program. We’re into a knockout; anything can happen.
“(Our disappointment) shows how far we’ve come. We’re going to just take that momentum that we can go toe-to-toe with the best teams.
“Hopefully, as much of that crowd as possible will travel down with us and be able to play off their energy and see what we can do. We’re in a great place. We’re in a great place.”
FIFA have got a lot of things wrong at this summer’s World Cup
On the field of play, for the most part, the games have been entertaining, goals galore, late winners, and all the big stars have turned up.
The only downside on the pitch has been the ‘hydration breaks’, with quite a lot of them not needed, and used as advertising breaks for the Americans.
But from FIFA allowing the United States of America to treat Iran like dirt, not allowing an official into the country because he is from Somalia, pathetic ticket prices, and visa issues for fans, despite this being a World Cup for all, if people thought Qatar was seemingly bad, this is far worse.
But don’t worry, there are suggestions that the United States want to host the 2038 World Cup, and given the type of person FIFA president Gianni Infantino is, don’t be surprised if it happens.
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