Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston has been compared to star Liverpool man Trent Alexander-Arnold by former Hoops winger Steve Guppy.
The Englishman worked closely with Johnston during the two years he spent with MLS side Nashville, coaching him on several aspects of his game.
Guppy recognised that the Canadian’s strengths lay in defence. Resultantly, he worked with him on the attacking side of his game.
Still at Nashville, the 54-year-old is pleased to see Johnston prospering with his old club, and he can see similarities between his game and that of the world-class Alexander-Arnold. Guppy said: [The Celtic Way] “It is a frustration when you watch full-backs and wingers cross the ball and it hits the first defender.
“That was something we tried to help Alistair with at Nashiville and fair play to him he was always out before training and after training practising crossing the ball.
“What I liked about Alistair was his style and technique of crossing the ball was reminiscent of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s at Liverpool.
“Alexander-Arnold is a tremendous crosser of the ball and that’s why I got excited about Alistair when I saw him play for Celtic. I have watched Alistair with Celtic and he is also good at the lofted channel ball.”
This season, the defender has three assists from full-back. He will likely want that number to be higher.
Johnston, though, did spend a few games out with a facial injury and throughout the season, he has not been overly consistent in his form. The 25-year-old has improved in recent matches, but some of his performances this campaign – much like his team – have left a lot to be desired.
