FINAL FEARS
Celtic star Alistair Johnston gives injury update after knock vs Dinamo Zagreb as he emerges as doubt for Rangers clash
Brendan Rodgers also gave his reaction to the player's injury
CROCKED Alistair Johnston has said he’ll give everything to be fit for Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final against holders Rangers at Hampden.
Johnston was forced off at the break at the Maksimir Stadium after suffering a hip injury late in the first half from a hefty challenge by Dinamo striker Sandro Kulenovic which got him booked.
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The Canadian star played out the final 10 minutes but was clearly in discomfort and was replaced by Tony Ralston with manager Brendan Rodgers taking no chances.
Now the 26-year-old is a worrying doubt for the derby showpiece.
Johnston, however, is full of hope he can shake off the knock and aim for a stunning sixth trophy in less than two years at Parkhead.
On doing whatever it takes to be available, he said: “Of course I will.
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“It was just an awkward one. We’ll do some tests on it and hopefully it’s nothing too serious.
“We’ll kind of take it day by day.
“It’s just a weird one and I was glad I could make it to half time.
“But I think it was the right decision to put Tony out there and get us through the 90 minutes.
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“I got through the rest of the first half, but I didn’t feel a hundred per cent.
“And Tony’s more than capable and a very good player.
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“So it made sense for him to come on. I didn’t want to do any more damage potentially.
“We’re not really sure what’s going on with it, so we’ll just get home and have a look at it.
“Hopefully it’s nothing too serious and we’ll be back out on the training pitch and get ready to go for Sunday.
“It’s a match that’s circled on the calendar, it’s a match I want to be a part of.
“We’ll see how the flight goes, see how tomorrow goes.
“We’ll take it day by day, hour by hour.”
Johnston, meanwhile, believes Celtic are more than ready to deliver more Hampden heartache for their bitter rivals at the national stadium.
He said: “I think we’re in good shape. Injuries, knock on wood, I think we’ve been quite lucky this year.
HOW THEY RATED
By DEREK MCGREGOR
KASPER SCHMEICHEL: Off his line to gather at the feet of Sandro Kulenovic as Dinamo tried to break the deadlock. Tipped over a header from Marko Pjaca late in the game 6
ALISTAIR JOHNSTON: Caught late by Marko Rog in front of the dugouts as the Dinamo star landed a booking. Canada star never fully recovered and was replaced at break 5
CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS: Looked uneasy after his Club Brugge own goal and had problems keeping his footing in first half. Close-range shot deflected well over 6
AUSTON TRUSTY: Good header out of the six-yard box early on then repeated the feat from Dinamo inswinging free-kick. Great block from Pjaca’s shot 6
GREG TAYLOR: Early yellow card for a late challenge in the Dinamo box. Heaved a huge sigh of relief when his miscue on the edge of his own box wasn’t punished 5
CALLUM McGREGOR: Captain’s 100th Euro game for the Hoops. Had the ball pinched off his toe by Lukas Kacavenda as the game started to become stretched after the hour 5
PAULO BERNARDO: In ahead of Arne Engels and flashed early free-kick just off target. Near-post corner also caused chaos. Couldn’t tame ball into box from Daizen Maeda 6
REO HATATE: Great ball from own half freed Kuhn down right. Lost footing as he tried to drill in a shot — which was his final act as Brendan Rodgers shuffled midfield 5
NICOLAS KUHN: Hit the byeline on the halfway mark but delivery was slapped away for a corner. Cut in on to his left foot after break but shot was deflected over top 6
DAIZEN MAEDA: Was booked for late challenge on Maxime Bernauer as tensions began to rise late in first half. Showed trademark energy going both ways but couldn’t find spark 5
KYOGO FURUHASHI: Great energy as he constantly pressed goalkeeper Daniel Zagorac. Didn’t get a real glimpse of goal and rested late on ahead of Sunday’s cup final 5
Anthony Ralston (4) half-time sub for injured Johnston, booked. Luke McCowan (4) tested keeper. Arne Engels (4) got last half-hour. James Forrest (3) lashed shot off target. Adam Idah (3) on as Celts chased late winner.
“Again, this was a difficult game, for us to go to Zagreb and get a clean sheet. It’s a difficult place to play. The crowd was good even though they were quite far back.
“We lacked a little bit of cutting edge in the final third.
“At the same time, we do feel good, we’re fit and we’ve been really strong domestically.
“This is the first opportunity to go and lift a trophy – it’s something all of the lads are ready to go for.”
Boss Rodgers – the first Celts boss since Davie Hay in 1986 to go four matches unbeaten in Europe’s premier club competition – said of Johnston: “It’s his hip flexor, nothing to the muscular which is good.
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“He just felt a bit of pain so at half-time there was no need to risk that.
“Hopefully that will settle down in the next couple of days.”
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