Alistair Johnston gets Celtic position change nod as Canadian theory throws Hatate curveball

The defender is with his nation currently but a starting XI debate has provided another way for Celtic to deploy him.

A Canadian experiment theory has suggested that Alistair Johnston could move forward from his traditional Celtic right-back role.

The 25-year-old has been a Parkhead hit since arriving from Montreal last winter and is out on international duty with his country. They face matches with Jamaica over the course of the next week and Johnston will be expected to tussle with the likes of Demarai Gray and Leon Bailey on the flanks.

OneSoccer's preview show in Canada has suggested a different role for the right-back. Sports commentator Gareth Wheeler and former Canadian Premier League midfielder Jordan Wilson were asked to nominate their one 'experiment' they'd like to see boss John Herdman put in place. And Wheeler kicked things off with Johnston selected as a central defensive midfielder. Callum McGregor plays the sitting role at Celtic currently but Brendan Rodgers is assessing his midfield options with Reo Hatate out until the New Year.

Wheeler said: "I would try Alistair Johnston as a holding midfielder. I just think it's a role in this team where there is no defined player. I think he could unlock and unleash (Stephen) Eustaquio to play a bit more of a free role.

"But he's a player I most trust in that position. Just watching his game evolve, his distribution has become very good. When Canada was working at their best, Johnston would play that role, sometimes he'd stay on the right but sometimes he'd also come centrally as well in order to distribute and open up space down the flank as well."

Wilson harped back to Johnston's college days at Wake Forest, where his transition from midfield to defence took place. He added "Alistair Johnston did that exceptionally well at Wake Forest.

"It's not like you are picking a guy who's played right-back since he was eight and he's never played in the middle. He knows the temperature and it's also about familiarity.

"If you go into midfield and feel comfortable, of course you can perform. But if you play right-back for 45 minutes and then throw him into the middle, it would be pretty difficult."