Why Alistair Johnston Won’t Join Celtic on Their USA Tour
Celtic defender Alistair Johnston has had a busy summer in the United States, but he won’t be joining the Bhoys on their upcoming three-game tour in the country. With his 2023/24 season still technically ongoing, Johnston requires an extended break to recharge for the new campaign.
Brendan Rodgers Confirms Change in Plans
Initially, Johnston was set to meet up with the Celtic squad in the States. However, due to his national team’s impressive performance in the tournament, those plans have changed. Brendan Rodgers, the Celtic manager, confirmed this adjustment.
Rodgers’ Comments on Johnston’s Extended Season
Brendan Rodgers shared with the Daily Record: “Incredibly, his season is still going. It’s absolutely brilliant. He’s got obviously one more game to go at the weekend and then he’ll have a breather. He had a plan and we were probably anticipating that they might not have got to where they were. So he would have had to meet us there. But no, we’ll allow him to have a rest and then bring him back and then he’ll be ready to join us for the last week. He’s had a really good tournament and we’ll see him when we come back from America.”
Managing Alistair Johnston’s Fitness for the New Season
Even with a two-week holiday, Johnston’s summer has been incredibly demanding. Celtic will need to carefully manage his game time in the early weeks of the season to ensure he remains fit and effective. While Johnston is expected to be a key player, his initial appearances might be limited to avoid overexertion.
Opportunity for Anthony Ralston
This period might present an opportunity for Anthony Ralston to step up. Brendan Rodgers mentioned back in May that the Scotland international would be seeing more playtime in the 2024/25 season, and this situation could accelerate his involvement.
Conclusion
Alistair Johnston’s change of plans regarding Celtic’s USA tour highlights the club’s need to manage player fitness carefully. As Johnston enjoys a well-deserved break, the team will look to balance their lineup, potentially giving Anthony Ralston a chance to shine.
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