Alistair Johnston is currently on international duty, with two pundits in his homeland posing the question of whether he could play in midfield for Canada.
With Reo Hatate currently sidelined until after Christmas, Celtic face the tough festive fixture schedule without one of their star players. Hatate joined Celtic in December 2021 and has since contributed hugely in winning four domestic trophies, including two Scottish Premiership titles, one Scottish League Cup, and one Scottish Cup.
David Turnbull has proven himself in recent weeks to be more than an able deputy to Hatate, chipping in with goals against St Mirren, Ross County, and Aberdeen. The Scottish midfielder’s future at Celtic is uncertain, though, with Brendan Rodgers revealing that the ball is in Turnbull’s court with a contract extension on the table.
Johnston previously played in midfield during college at Wake Forest and only transitioned to right back while there.
Canadian pundits Gareth Wheeler and Jordan Wilson spoke about the potential position change for Canada on OneSoccer.
Wheeler said: “I would try Alistair Johnston as a holding midfielder. I just think it’s a role in this team where there is no defined player. I think he could unlock and unleash (Stephen) Eustaquio to play a bit more of a free role.
“But he’s a player I most trust in that position. Just watching his game evolve, his distribution has become very good. When Canada was working at their best, Johnston would play that role, sometimes he’d stay on the right but sometimes he’d also come centrally as well in order to distribute and open up space down the flank as well.”
Wilson said: “Alistair Johnston did that exceptionally well at Wake Forest.
“It’s not like you are picking a guy who’s played right-back since he was eight and he’s never played in the middle. He knows the temperature and it’s also about familiarity.
“If you go into midfield and feel comfortable, of course you can perform. But if you play right-back for 45 minutes and then throw him into the middle, it would be pretty difficult.”
Wheeler and Wilson’s comments make a compelling case for experimenting with Johnston in midfield on the international scene. If it was successful it could open the door to a similar experiment at Celtic.
Canada play a double-header against Jamaica over the next 5 days in the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Johnston has demonstrated incredible heart and determination during his time at Celtic, leaving no doubts about his desire to improve as a player. He is certainly one of the first names on the team sheet as it stands.
Whether Rodgers reckons the team can afford to move Johnston away from the right-back slot and rely on Anthony Ralston is another matter.