Celtic’s decision-making is often judged in hindsight, but it looks like allowing Alistair Johnston to go and meet up with his Canada teammates this month was right from the outset.
There was no fixture pressure, no disruption, and no downside in letting Alistair Johnston step away from Celtic. The conditions were already in place for a controlled decision.
The Celtic first-team squad had been given time off and players were not in full training. That context matters when assessing what the Parkhead club allowed and why it worked.
And Johnston, in an interview in his homeland, thanked Celtic for allowing him to meet up with his international team again, ahead of this summer’s World Cup, which Canada will host.
When Alistair Johnston returns to fitness, would you pick him over Julian Araujo?
Celtic made the right decision for Alistair Johnston and Canada
Celtic removed any conflict by giving the squad a break. That meant Johnston was not stepping away from competitive preparation.
And speaking about that, Johnston told the Daily Record, “It’s really nice to be back. I missed the September, October and November camps and the thought of missing March too was one I just didn’t really want to entertain.
“Celtic were great with me. They knew where I was at – they knew I play a pretty big leadership role in this group and they knew how important it was for me to be here leading into a home World Cup.
“Celtic gave the first team the week off, so they said there would be nothing better than for me to come out here and get the full training with the national team rather than training on my own in Scotland. So it worked out well. It’s been nice to reconnect with everyone.”
This could prove to be a masterstroke by Celtic. By allowing Johnston time for a confidence-boosting visit back in Canada to meet friends and family, so that when Johnston comes back to bolster Celtic’s title charge after the international break, he will be raring to go.
Celtic benefit from backing Johnston’s leadership role
Johnston is not a peripheral figure for Canada. The Celtic hero plays a central leadership role within that group and carries responsibility.
The full-back had already missed previous camps, which made this return more important. Missing another would have reduced his impact ahead of a major tournament.
Celtic recognised that reality and acted accordingly. This decision supports both the player and the club’s long-term interests.
There is no downside when a player maintains his level in a competitive setting. This was a straightforward football decision based on preparation and role.
Celtic allowed Johnston to operate at the highest level available to him during a scheduled break. That is the correct call for the player and for the club.
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