Ross County manager Don Cowie highlights impact of Alistair Johnston ahead of Staggies’ trip to Glasgow to face Celtic in the Scottish Premiership
It may not be often that a full back is highlighted as a dangerman, but that is exactly how Ross County manager Don Cowie sees Celtic’s Alistair Johnston.
The 26-year-old has made a strong impact since moving to Glasgow two years ago, and scored the equalising goal in the defending Premiership champions’ win over County in Dingwall earlier this season.
That was just one of four goals the former Montreal Impact player has scored in 2024/25, putting him just one behind joint-top scorer Ronan Hale.
Cowie, then, has been suitably impressed by Johnston’s displays, and says he is one of a number of players the Staggies will have to keep quiet in order to get a result.
“I’ve been really impressed with him since he signed for Celtic, I think he’s been outstanding,” Cowie explained.
“He’s a real threat. His consistency of performance levels are top, and it just so happens that he seems to score against us when he plays.
“Even as a full back for the opposition, he’s one that you have to be aware of and think about how you nullify, because he can be pretty relentless from that area.
“He’s one of a number of players that we are aware of going into this weekend.”
The assortment of riches at Celtic’s disposal is, on paper, far beyond that of any of their rivals in the Scottish Premiership.
That is showing in the league table, with Brendan Rodgers’ men already two points clear with a game in hand.
Players like Johnstone have helped make that happen, and Cowie says he will use what Celtic and their players are doing as examples for County’s squad to learn from.
“We are always watching football and trying to gain an edge, and trying to improve and take things that you’re seeing that you can implement,” he reasoned.
“Alistair Johnston didn’t come into Scottish football with the biggest reputation here, and I think a lot of people were disappointed when Josip Juranovic left, but as a replacement Johnson has been outstanding.
“We always try to show our players what they are capable of doing, and there’s no reason why our players can’t keep progressing and get to a higher level.”
County will be without the services of their club captain Connor Randall at Celtic Park on Saturday as he is suspended, while Kacper Lopata did not train with the Staggies squad in the first half of the week after picking up a back knock against Motherwell last weekend.
