Alistair Johnston, a defender for Celtic, is predicted to move up the international ladder.

While on international duty, Alistair Johnston has been asked by two commentators back home if he could play midfield for Canada.

Reo Hatate is currently out till after Christmas, therefore Celtic will be playing their difficult holiday schedule without one of their best players. Following his December 2021 arrival to Celtic, Hatate has made a significant contribution to the club’s four domestic trophy victories, which include two Scottish Premiership crowns, one Scottish League Cup, and one Scottish Cup.

In recent weeks, David Turnbull has shown that he is more than capable of serving as Hatate’s deputy. He has contributed goals against Aberdeen, Ross County, and St Mirren. The Scottish midfielder’s future at Celtic is in doubt, though, since Brendan Rodgers disclosed that Turnbull has the option to accept a contract extension.

Johnston only switched to right back while attending Wake Forest, where he had previously played midfield.

On OneSoccer, Canadian analysts Jordan Wilson and Gareth Wheeler discussed the possibility of a shift in Canada’s standing.

“I would try Alistair Johnston as a holding midfielder,” Wheeler stated. Simply put, I believe it to be a position on this team without a clear star. He could, in my opinion, free up Stephen Eustaquio to take on a somewhat more liberated position.

However, he’s the player in that position that I most trust. Observing the development of his game, his distribution has improved greatly. Johnston would fill that role when Canada was playing at their best; at times, he would stick on the right, but other times, he would also go centrally to distribute and create space down the wing.

“Alistair Johnston did that exceptionally well at Wake Forest,” Wilson stated.

It’s not as though you are selecting a player who has never played in the middle and has only played right-back since he was eight years old. Not only is it about familiarity, but he is aware of the temperature.

“Of course you can play if you move into midfield and feel comfortable. However, it would be challenging to put him in the midfield after 45 minutes as a right-back.

The arguments made by Wheeler and Wilson for trying out Johnston in midfield for the national team are strong. Should it prove successful, it might pave the way for a comparable trial at Celtic.

Over the course of the next five days, Canada will play Jamaica twice in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals.

Johnston’s drive to become a better player is evident from his unbelievable heart and perseverance during his tenure at Celtic. As it is, he is undoubtedly among the first names on the team sheet.

It’s another question whether Rodgers believes the team can afford to bench Johnston in favour of Anthony Ralston at right-back.