Canada defender Alistair Johnston makes debut for Celtic in tie in Old Firm derby
GLASGOW — Canadian defender Alistair Johnston made his Celtic debut Monday with Kyogo Furuhashi’s 88th-minute purpose securing a degree for the Scottish league chief in a 2-2 tie with Glasgow rival Rangers.
Trailing 1-0 after a fifth-minute Daizen Maeda purpose, Rangers pulled forward early within the second half on targets by Ryan Kent (forty seventh minute) and skipper James Tavernier (53rd, from penalty spot).
Furuhashi tied it up in a goalmouth scramble that noticed the ball bounce off a number of defenders earlier than it fell to the Japanese worldwide in entrance of purpose. It marked the seventeenth purpose Celtic has scored within the remaining quarter-hour of a sport this season.
Celtic (18-1-1) stays 9 factors forward of second-place Rangers (14-2-4).
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Johnston, whose switch from CF Montreal to Celtic was confirmed in early December, began the Old Firm derby at proper fullback at Ibrox. Former Canada captain Scott Arfield was on the bench for Rangers.
Speaking previous to the match, Celtic supervisor Ange Postecoglou mentioned Johnston had carried out properly in coaching and that Croatia proper again Jusip Juranovic wasn’t 100 per cent match. But Juranovic was known as on within the twenty first minute when left fullback Greg Taylor left with an obvious hamstring harm.
Celtic pulled forward early, benefiting from a Ranger defensive miscue. Japan ahead Daizen Maeda intercepted an errant Alfredo Morelos go after which used his pace to beat two defenders earlier than slotting the ball underneath goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
Kent tied the rating from simply contained in the Celtic penalty field, sidestepping Johnston to curve a right-footed shot previous a diving Joe Hart, Tavernier then put the house aspect forward from the penalty spot after Swedish centre again Carl Starfelt took Fashion Sakala down. It marked the a centesimal profession purpose for Tavernier.
Monday marked the Old Firm derby debut for Michael Beale, named supervisor in late November after Giovanni van Bronckhorst was fired. Beale had gained 4 straight since taking up the staff
Celtic gained 4-0 when the 2 groups met Sept. 3 at Celtic Park.
Johnston began all three of Canada’s outings on the latest World Cup in Qatar, a part of a document run of 31 consecutive video games, erasing the document of 27 set by former Canada captain Bruce Wilson from 1984 to ’86.
The 24-year-old from Aurora, Ont., has gained 33 caps for Canada in complete. The 34-year-old Arfield final performed for Canada in November 2019, retiring from worldwide soccer with 19 caps.
Celtic mentioned Johnston has signed a five-year contract. While Celtic and Montreal didn’t element the switch value, Glasgow’s Daily Record reported the deal is price round three million kilos (C$4.91 million).
Montreal gave up US$1 million normally allocation cash in December 2021 to get Johnston from Nashville SC, who took him eleventh general within the 2020 MLS SuperDraft out of Wake Forest.
In 2022, he scored 4 targets for Montreal and added 5 assists in 33 MLS common season video games, together with 30 begins. He additionally began two playoff video games and performed in three CONCACAF Champions League matches
