Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston was substituted just three minutes into tonight’s game against Hibernian due to a head knock following a misplaced header from Nectarios Triantis.
Concussion protocols indicate that Johnston will likely be out for a week, meaning he’ll miss Sunday’s Scottish Cup tie against St. Mirren at St. Mirren Park.
Johnston, who joined the Hoops in January 2023, has become a stalwart in the Celtic defence, and his absence will certainly be felt.
With Anthony Ralston replacing him at Easter Road, the Celtic academy graduate is now likely to start in Johnston’s place on Sunday.
Brendan Rodgers will be hopeful that the injury to Johnston is nothing too serious, as a player like the Canadian international has been vital to Celtic over the last year.
🗣️ “That’s just clumsy.”
Here’s what it was given for as Alistair Johnston goes off injured. Watch Hibs v Celtic live now on @SkyFootball 📺 pic.twitter.com/CwYQO4SN9i
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 7, 2024
With Ralston failing to displace Johnston this season, the Scottish defender will be allowed to make an impact.
Despite an impressive start to the 2021/22 season under Ange Postecoglou, netting in the Australian’s first Scottish Premiership game against Hearts at Tynecastle, Ralston has since struggled to cement himself as Celtic’s first-choice right-back over the last two seasons.
