Celtic Star Makes Lennoxtown Return

Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston has rejoined the squad after being granted an extended summer break due to international commitments with Canada.

The 25-year-old featured in the CONCACAF Gold Cup last month.  His national side were eliminated at the quarter-final stage in a penalty shootout defeat to Guatemala, bringing a lengthy campaign to an end for the defender.

AJ back at training 🍀 pic.twitter.com/ZvMWvZPvBn

— Celtic Curio (@Celticcurio) July 23, 2025

His season did end prematurely, with Canada being knocked out surprisingly, but he still had a long campaign, dating back to the first game of the season, when AJ lined up against Kilmarnock on Flag Day.

As a result, Johnston was given additional time off and missed the bulk of Celtic’s pre-season preparations. He has now returned to training, though his involvement in the Football On The Lake tournament in Italy appears unlikely.

Brendan Rodgers has previously emphasised the importance of a full week of training before players feature in matches, and it remains unclear how many sessions Johnston has completed since rejoining the group.

While the Canadian’s return boosts Rodgers’ defensive options, Celtic will likely take a cautious approach in reintroducing him to match action. With the competitive season looming, having a fully fit and prepared Johnston will be key, particularly with the club set to juggle domestic and European duties once again.