Celtic teammates Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers involved in heated Canada vs USA flashpoint
Despite losing star man Alphonso Davies to injury early on Canada secured bragging rights against their neighbours
They are no strangers to a heated derby, but Celtic teammates Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston are used to being on the same side.
That wasn't the case on March 23 however, as the defenders found themselves competing in opposite teams as Canada and the USA went head-to-head in the CONCACAF Nations League third place playoff. And with the match played against a backdrop of US President Donald Trump claiming he wants to make Canada the 51st state, the derby had added spice.
Despite losing Bayern Munich ace Alphonso Davies after just 12 minutes to an ankle injury, Canada took the lead through Tani Oluwaseyi. However that was cancelled out by Patrick Agyemang before half-time. Jonathan David put the Canadians back ahead just before the hour, and they were holding on deep into injury when tensions boiled over.
Gio Reyna, son of former Rangers star Claudio, clattered Jacob Shaffelburg on the touchline sparking an angry exchange - with US defender Carter-Vickers one of the first on the scene. However Celtic teammate Johnston was quick to jump in and act as peacemaker, with the defender hauling his club teammate away the scuffle before play restarted.
Speaking after the 2-1 victory, Johnston said: "We rotated a couple of guys and got a performance like that against the Americans, it goes to show that this team isn't just a really strong starting 11.
"This team is building depth and building a really strong squad, and that's what you need to have. Injuries happen, players are out of form, that happens, if you're wanting to be a footballing nation then you need to have guys at every position, multiple deep and I think that we're seeing that now. I know it's only a third place game, but that means a lot.
"It means a lot to people back home, it means a lot to me and I'm really proud of the team and every single guy who went out there and stepped up."
The duo had travelled across the Atlantic for the matches together, with Johnston revealing they are best pals at Parkhead.
Speaking prior to the game the 26-year-old said: "Me and CCV get along really well. We sat beside each other on the flight over, playing chess the whole way. He's my best mate on the team.
"There's obviously some extra needle, and there's obviously going to be bragging rights going back to the club. We're on the same flight back to Glasgow, so I'd like to have one up on him going into that."
The result heaped more pressure on US boss Mauricio Pochettino, who had been linked with a return to Spurs to replace Ange Postecoglou, and fuelled the rumours earlier this month.
Speaking to Mirror Football, Pochettino said: “I am going to repeat. In the bottom of my heart I still feel the same. I would like one day to come back. Not because of my ego it's because my feeling is I would like one day to win with Tottenham."