Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will be grateful his side have an extra few days respite in their full week of build-up to face Dundee United at Tannadice this Sunday.
In a bruising Premier Sports Cup final encounter at Hampden last weekend that ended in glory, the Bhoys used all five of their substitutes to claim the first available silverware of the campaign.
Alistair Johnston has an unbeaten record against Rangers from 11 occasions he has featured against them. Still, he was one of the quintet to be replaced against Celtic’s arch-rivals as Anthony Ralston came on in his place.
Recently, Johnston has been struggling with a hip flexor issue, resulting in him being given a breather against Dinamo Zagreb during the second half.
With Dundee United next on the horizon for Celtic, the Canada international has shared how he is bearing up after an energy-sapping afternoon at Hampden.
Alistair Johnston on his fitness as Celtic prepare for Dundee Utd
Speaking to The Daily Record, Celtic defender Johnston revealed he did ‘everything possible’ to be fit for his side against Rangers, but isn’t certain on whether he’ll be fit to face Dundee United this weekend.
He explained: “I guess we’ll just see. Realistically, I might not have played this match if it wasn’t a cup final, but I made it pretty clear to the medical staff that I want to be available and do everything possible.
“The whole plan was for me to try not to put myself in an awkward position where I could potentially tweak something but I had a weird slip about 10 minutes in and I knew right then that it was going to be a long game to get through.
“I fought through and when we got to 2-1 I thought, ‘I’m really struggling here, let’s bring Tony (Ralston) on’. Then all of sudden it got even more chaotic in a way with the scoreline and everything.
“But I’m just happy we managed to lift the trophy. It’s going to be one of those ones I’ll look back on and have probably forgotten that I came off in the match or was fighting through anything. All that really matters is that you have the trophy in your cabinet.”
Celtic’s potential to make changes against Dundee Utd
With Dundee United set to offer another stiff test, Celtic may opt to make one or two changes to combat the physical impact of being involved in extra time and penalties last weekend.
Anthony Ralston, Liam Scales, Arne Engels, James Forrest and Adam Idah could be likely contenders to claim valuable minutes at Tannadice, helping to freshen up the starting line-up and fighting against any burnout.
Three points are at stake this weekend, so hopefully, the Bhoys can give a sizeable travelling support an early Christmas present ahead of the festivities!
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