A few Celtic stars will be hoping to end their Concacaf Nations League campaign on a high on Sunday when USMNT lock horns with Canada.
Auston Trusty has already pulled out through injury, but Celtic duo Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers could face one another if selected to start by their respective countries.
This will be a third-place playoff match after Canada were beaten by Mexico in the semi-finals and the USMNT suffered a shock result to Panama.
Johnston started Canada’s defeat to Mexico on Thursday and played the entire game, whilst Carter-Vickers was an unused substitute amid suggestions that he has an injury.
With the 2026 World Cup around the corner, and the two North American nations, alongside Mexico, set to host one of the sport’s biggest events, then they will want to start to get things right.
Winning here would be a brilliant platform to spring out of and Celtic’s starting right-back Johnston is already being shown no respect before a ball is to be kicked.
Alistair Johnston told he has no chance against Christian Pulisic ahead of Canada against USMNT
Johnston is a key player for Celtic, helping them to trophy after trophy on the domestic stage, including a possible Treble this season, as well as progression in the Champions League.
But, on the international stage, the 26-year-old is being told by former USMNT player Jimmy Conrad that Christian Pulisic is going win his battle against him ‘all day every day’, as he told CBS Sports.
This is despite Pulisic’s struggles against lowly Panama last time out, so there is only one way for the Celtic man to answer his doubters and that’s on the pitch.
“The match-up against Alistair Johnston, I would take Pulisic all day every day,” said Conrad. “If you get him isolated he can run at him.
“I would prefer that. Weah on the right and Pulisic on the left.
Johnston’s performances for Celtic this season
Celtic’s defeat to Rangers before the international break never helped anyone’s cause because so many players were just off it.
That included Johnston, who despite being a solid and consistent performer this season, probably had one of his worst days in Glasgow.
But, in the overall picture, when you look at the Canada star’s display in the Premiership and in the Champions League, then he certainly deserves more respect from those in USMNT colours.
