This campaign has proven challenging for Celtic under Brendan Rodgers’ leadership, marked by a series of fits and starts. Beyond navigating significant player exits, the team has been hampered by a spate of key injuries.
Critical first-team members like Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate have missed significant portions of the season, impacting the team’s performance.
Additionally, fluctuations in form from players such as Matt O’Riley, whose performances have dipped, and Kyogo Furuhashi, whose scoring prowess has waned, have raised questions about the squad’s adaptability to Rodgers’ strategic approach.
Amid these concerns, John Hartson has pointed out a player whose performance he feels has notably declined under Rodgers’ tenure, a player initially brought in by Ange Postecoglou in December 2022. Speaking on [The Go Radio Football Show], Hartson critiqued Alistair Johnston’s recent form, noting his tendency to lose possession and his occasional lapses in defensive discipline, particularly in tracking back and marking opponents effectively.
Hartson observed that Celtic’s tactical high line, which was previously effective in dominating possession and stifling counter-attacks, has recently become a vulnerability that opponents have exploited, a challenge Johnston has been a part of.
Despite these criticisms, Hartson clarified that he doesn’t view Johnston as having regressed, but rather struggling alongside the team to maintain the exceptional standards set upon his arrival.
Johnston’s initial stint with Celtic, starting with a pivotal debut in the high-stakes Ibrox Glasgow Derby that ended in a 2-2 draw, set a high bar. Following this debut, he played a key role in a 13-game unbeaten league run that clinched the title and was instrumental in Celtic’s journey to the Scottish Cup final and their victory in the League Cup Final against Rangers, marking an impressive treble in his debut half-season.
The transition to playing under a new manager has posed its challenges for Johnston and the team. Nevertheless, recent performances suggest a return to form for Johnston, who remains a critical figure for Celtic as they navigate the remaining nine league games of the season, aiming to solidify their position and successes.
