Alistair Johnston: Stats show why star will drag Celtic to Scottish Premiership title
Alistair Johnston returned to the starting XI for Celtic in the 2-1 victory over Hibernian on Sunday and was quick to put on a show.
Despite being injured for the vast majority of the campaign, the full-back was still able to pick up a vital assist, as he whipped the ball in for Daizen Maeda’s opener.
The defender had been a major goal threat last season when he picked up 12 goal contributions in the Scottish Premiership.
Now, with the 27-year-old hitting form right at the end of the season, it could be a vital moment for the club.
With Celtic fighting to win the title, Johnston could now be a defining factor going into the final three matches.
Alistair Johnston was excellent vs Hibs
Despite the victory over Hibs, not every player was at their best, as the club struggled to overcome the 10-man side.
However, Johnston was superb, with the full-back proving to be one of the only creative sparks at Easter Road.
| Alistair Johnston's stats vs Hibs | |
| Minutes | 63 |
| Passing accuracy | 93% |
| Chances created | 3 |
| xA | 0.82 |
| Passes into final third | 6 |
| Touches inside oppositions box | 4 |
According to Fotmob on 4 May, he completed 93 per cent of his passes, created three chances, had a 0.82 xA, played six passes into the final third and had four touches inside the opposition’s box.
This inevitably proved to be the difference maker as Celtic dragged themselves over the line to earn three points.
As a result, Johnston could be the defining factor that pushes Celtic to the league title in the final matches, with massive games against Rangers and Hearts on the horizon.
Hibs vs Celtic was full of controversies
Ex-FIFA referee and former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that Joe Newell’s goal for Hibernian should have been disallowed.
The hosts netted an equaliser just before the break, which almost cost the Hoops two points.
Hackett believes that the midfielder made a “deliberate action” to control the ball with his arm before he placed the ball into the net. As a result, it should have been disallowed.
Yet after a VAR review, it was given, with this decision clearly being wrong.
Despite Celtic’s victory, this could prove to be costly come the end of the campaign, due to goal-difference, with the title having the potential to be decided on this factor.