Scott Brown believes Sam Johnstone should keep his place in the Celtic goal for Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Rangers.
The 33-year-old responded with a clean sheet and produced one of the biggest moments of the night when he denied St Johnstone from close range during the first half.
Asked who he would start at Ibrox, Brown did not hesitate.
He said: (The Celtic Way YouTube), “Sam plays.”
The former Celtic captain was impressed by the experienced goalkeeper’s first appearance and believes his calmness was important for a changed defence at McDiarmid Park.
Brown said: “I think Sam was very, very good.
“He was composed yesterday.
“I think his experience definitely helped that back line as well.
“When he was called upon, he made a fantastic save.
“He was out early and a couple of clearances that he made with balls over the top and he read the situation really, really well.”
It leaves O’Neill with an interesting decision ahead of the first Rangers meeting of the season.
Brown was also keen to acknowledge the Finnish goalkeeper’s contribution rather than suggest the decision is straightforward because of poor form.
He said: “Sinisalo’s done really well, but I think it’s probably time when Sam came in.
“He wants to come in and play at his age. He’s 33 now.
“He’s not played that many games recently.
“So I think it is a big shout for whoever plays.”
Johnstone was brought to Celtic to provide genuine competition in goal, and his first outing has now given O’Neill exactly that.
A debut clean sheet and a crucial save have strengthened his case, while Brown has already made his own choice clear ahead of Sunday.
For O’Neill, the question now is whether Johnstone’s performance in Perth was enough to earn him one of the biggest assignments in Scottish football just days later.
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