PERTH, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Odsonne Edouard of Celtic celebrates after scoring their team's second goal during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between St. Johnstone and Celtic at McDiarmid Park on February 14, 2021 in Perth, Scotland. PHOTO BY IAN MACNICOL/GETTY IMAGES.
Republic of Ireland defender Liam Scales is backing his Celtic teammate Alistair Johnston to shine at the World Cup this summer on home soil.
The pair celebrated a Premiership and Scottish Cup Double together just days ago, but they now find themselves on opposing sides for an international friendly.
Johnston’s Canada face Scales’s Republic of Ireland in Montreal in the early hours of Saturday morning as part of Canada’s World Cup preparations.
Canada kick off their World Cup campaign against Bosnia and Herzegovina the following weekend, with Scales and Ireland watching on after their painful exit in a play-off penalty shootout against Czech Republic.
Scales has revealed he may actually line up directly against Johnston on Saturday, given he plays at left wing-back for Ireland, putting him in direct opposition to the rampaging full-back.
Scales said: “Oh yeah! I’ve played on the left wing-back for Ireland as well, so I actually might be against him.”
Despite the competitive nature of the fixture, Scales was quick to insist he will not be going in hard on his Parkhead teammate during the match.
Scales said: “I won’t smash him, I definitely won’t do that to AJ. You know, he’s a teammate. Hopefully, I’ll get his jersey after the game, so that’s about it.”
The Celtic defender was full of praise for Johnston, highlighting his leadership qualities and impressive international record at just 27 years old.
Scales said: “He’s top class. He’s an incredible athlete and he’s again another leader. I don’t know how many caps he’s got for Canada, I think somewhere in the 50s, and he’s only 27 or 28.”
Johnston had been a significant absentee for six months of the domestic season, missing the Premier Sports Cup Final and the turbulent Wilfried Nancy period at the club.
His return for the final five matches of the season proved crucial, with his performances widely credited as a key factor in delivering the Double.
Scales reflected warmly on helping Johnston through his difficult rehabilitation, noting the full-back’s positivity throughout his lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Scales said: “We were all there for him when he was out. When you have an injury, and I think he obviously came back and re-injured himself, that’s got to be the worst. So, you know, we were all there for him. He’s a positive guy himself, but we all helped him through.”
Johnston penned a new four-year contract in November 2024, though several clubs from England and Europe are reportedly monitoring his situation closely.
Celtic will be aware that a strong World Cup showing could attract significant transfer interest, just as his move to Parkhead followed an impressive tournament in Qatar in 2022.
Canada, managed by former Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch, are targeting a historic place in the knockout stages from Group B, which also includes Qatar and Switzerland.
Johnston is part of a golden generation of Canadian talent that includes Bayern Munich winger Alphonso Davies and Juventus striker Jonathan David.
Scales said: “AJ could have a big summer, definitely. Canada are one of the home nations, and they’ve got a good side. I’ll be interested in seeing how they do, and interesting playing against them.”
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