Alistair Johnston Returns to Celtic Training With Canada Selection Restricted to Non-Playing Role

Overview

• Celtic shared images on March 20 of Johnston training with the first-team group at Lennoxtown after a prolonged hamstring layoff.
• Canada named the right-back in their friendly squad with the plan for him to train only and not feature against Iceland or Tunisia, according to Marsch.
• The Canada manager said the aim is for Johnston to be back on the pitch for Celtic in the coming weeks following his final recovery steps.
• Celtic manager Martin O’Neill said he would prefer Johnston to remain with the club during the break but accepted the training-only arrangement.
• Johnston’s season was curtailed by a recurring hamstring issue that led to November surgery after early exits against Kairat Almaty and Sturm Graz, with Celtic bringing in Julian Araujo on loan as cover and monitoring squad plans at right-back as Johnston nears a return.