CELTIC full-back Alistair Johnston is determined to wrap up a league and cup double to ensure he heads into this summer’s Copa America with Canada full of confidence.
The former MLS defender helped Mauro Biello’s side to see of Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 in Texas last week in their Nations League play-off final to set up a date with Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the opening match in Atlanta in June.
Canada face a daunting Group A section which, as well as current Copa America and world champions Argentina, includes Peru and Chile.
And Johnston, who made his World Cup debut in Qatar in 2022, is hoping to build his own momentum ahead of the finals in the United States by helping Celtic to retain their Premiership and Scottish Cup crowns come May.
Brendan Rodgers’ side are currently a point ahead of Rangers at the top of the league table, although Philippe Clement’s side have a game in hand.
With next weekend’s third derby of the season coming up at Ibrox before Rangers have the chance to play the postponed Dens Park clash against Dundee, Celtic could take the initiative in the title race in the coming week.
The Parkhead side also have a Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden against managerless Aberdeen on April 20 to negotiate as they look to clinch a second double in three years.
READ MORE: Celtic full-back on chance to face Messi this summer
But first up is today’s trip to the plastic pitch against Premiership bottom-markers Livingston, and Johnston is hoping to continue to build up a head of steam as the domestic season comes into its final stages.
“All of that [is important],” Johnston said. “You just want positive vibes going into it. It is a massive opportunity for us as a nation to go and show we belong, a huge opportunity.
“We have tons of players playing at top clubs now and we want all of them going in ideally fully fit.
“We are not as deep as a lot of countries where if we have a player get hurt, we have another guy playing in a top five league waiting to fill in.
“Just getting those experiences playing at a top level, playing against an Argentina – the World Cup holders –even the rest of them: Chile and Perus. I think on paper it is arguably stronger than our World Cup group and it was difficult as well.
“So, it is a great lead in going into our World Cup. Ideally you have lifted the title before that and you are going into it fully confident.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel