Celtic released fresh footage from Lennoxtown on Monday as Brendan Rodgers’ side returned to training ahead of this weekend’s home tie against Dundee, and there was one clear highlight for fans.
Alistair Johnston is back.
The Canadian international was spotted taking part in full training with the main group, a sign that he’s now in serious contention to make the squad for Sunday’s Premiership clash at Celtic Park.
Johnston has been out since the early weeks of the campaign after suffering an injury during the opening stretch of the season. His absence forced Rodgers to rely on Colby Donovan and Anthony Ralston as cover at right-back, with both players doing their best to fill the gap.
But there’s no question who the first-choice is when fit.
Alistair Johnston’s Celtic Impact
Since joining from CF Montréal, Johnston has become a firm fan favourite. He slotted seamlessly into the Celtic backline, bringing his trademark energy, grit, and leadership to the right-hand side. His defensive consistency and willingness to push forward have been sorely missed over the past few months.
Having him back would be a major boost, not just defensively but for the overall balance and rhythm of Celtic’s play. Rodgers’ system depends on controlled possession and dynamic width, and Johnston’s movement and positioning are key to making that work.
With several international players still away on duty, including Kasper Schmeichel and Daizen Maeda, Monday’s session wasn’t yet at full strength. That will change by midweek as the full squad returns to Lennoxtown to prepare for the weekend.
Celtic will look to keep their winning momentum going against Steven Pressley’s Dundee side, with the international break offering a valuable reset after a turbulent start to the campaign.
And if Johnston is indeed back in the mix, it could be just the lift Rodgers needs to steady things and push forward into a crucial stretch of the season.
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Missed what team in spl wouldn’t but need to work with winger forest dosent pass to overlapping players goes in side but never passes to man going wide id try McGowan out wide not got speed but has the pass