Celtic star suffers nightmare on international stage as he gifts ex-Rangers boss shock result with stoppage time blunder
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
CELTIC star Alistair Johnston had another nightmare on his return to action as 77-year-old former Rangers boss Dick Advocaat pulled off a shock against Canada.
The Hoops defender missed the crucial final penalty in the Scottish Cup Final which meant Aberdeen won the trophy at Hampden last month.
Sign up for the Celtic newsletter
Sign up
2
Alistair Johnston came off the bench in the tie
Credit: Getty
2
He was at fault for the late equaliser in stoppage time
Credit: Getty
He was nursing a minor back injury and returned to action this weekend at the Gold Cup against Caribbean minnows Curacao, who are now managed by Advocaat, after he came out of retirement for the fifth time to take charge of his eighth international country earlier this year.
But after coming on as a late sub, he gave the ball away to former PSV Eindhoven striker Jeremy Antonisse deep into injury time who netted to claim a remarkable 1-1 draw in Houston and speak off scenes of celebration for the tiny nation.
Johnston was absent for the tournament opener against Honduras, as well as the recent friendlies against Ukraine and Ivory Coast.
Last night was his 54th cap and it was a rare mistake from the right-back who is usually Mr Reliable at the back for Canada.
Advocaat - who has now managed the Netherlands three times, Belgium, Russia, Serbia, South Korea, Iraq, UAE and now Curacao - said: "That was a great achievement for us to get a draw against a huge country like Canada.
"But it was the least we deserved and credit to the players."
Canada still sit top of Group B with four points, while Advocaat's side are sitting in third - one point behind Honduras - with two points.
Canada lifted the cup back in 2000 and will be hoping to replicate that triumph this year with their current crop of top stars.
They reached the semi-final in 2021 and Johnston was involved in the squad after being called up to the senior team for the first time in January that year.
The final of this year's competition will be played on July 7 - three days after Celtic are due to face Queen's Park in a pre-season friendly.
What's holding up Nygren Plus Kuhn & Maeda price tags REVEALED Celtic transfer special
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
35 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Kyogo gets Celtic tongues wagging with love note as Strelec transfer trigger and Yamada address escalate striker hunt
Business is picking up at Parkhead with Callum Osmand and Bejamin Nygren set to check in Stade Rennes misfit Kyogo Furuhashi has beamed with pride over his time at Celtic with the club searching for a striker. It comes with his future at the Ligue 1 side in major doubt amid reports he could join Birmingham City. The Scottish champions are set to bring in Fulham talent Callum Osmand this summer - and the 19-year-old looks set to be given the chance to stake a first-team claim this summer. He will aim to provide competition for Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda next term - but the search for a frontman doesn't appear to have stopped with the prospect. The Japan international struggled to even make the matchday squad in the final weeks of the season - and has yet to find the net for his new club. Reports in France have suggest a move back to Celtic Park could be on the cards - but Birmingham City appear to be leading the race for the 30-year-old after their return to the English Championship. After making an appearance in front of the crowd at FC Gifu - his first professional team - he reflected on his time at Celtic stating to Japanese media:"I'm proud to have played in that environment.' The Parkhead fan favourite also hinted he may not be rushing for the Rennes exit - despite falling down the pecking order under Habib Beye. He said: 'I may not be as visible as a striker, but I think it's my role to lift up the others and work hard.' A replacement for the Parkhead fan favourite could be on the cards with the door open for David Strelec. He was was the subject of a £7.5m offer from the Hoops in January - with the Slovakian champions holding out for £9million. Strelec wrapped up the campaign with 25 goals to his name and hasn't been shy in opening the door to a Celtic switch. Director of football Robert Vittek admits that the club could be forced to sell this summer, telling Tvnoviny: "Of course, we won't resist if an offer comes that we will accept, but I'd rather not count on it." Celtic are also reportedly keen on Kawasaki Frontale frontman Shin Yamada this summer. But the 25-year-old refused to be drawn on the attention from Glasgow's east end - telling Sponichi:"Right now I want to do my best in the next game." You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp, where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Racing driver Rolf Scheibner rushed to hospital after terrifying crash at track Max Verstappen branded ‘too dangerous'
RACING driver Rolf Scheibner was rushed to hospital after a terrifying crash at the Nurburgring – a course which even Formula One champion Max Verstappen once dubbed 'too dangerous.' Scheibner's Aston Martin was sent spinning in a high-speed horrific collision during a 24 hour race at the infamous German track, which has seen an estimated 170 deaths from both public and private races since its opening in 1927. 6 A racing driver was rushed to hospital after a terrifying crash 6 The ace's car was flipped upside-down during a 24-hour race 6 He miraculously exited the car and was later released from hospital uninjured 6 The crash took place at the infamous Nurburgring racing track in Germany Credit: AFP The ace, who has since been given the all-clear by docs, was taken out by rival Kevin Estre during a tight turn at the Nurburgring. Scheibner was in control of the track when Estre, behind the wheel of a Porsche 911, snuck up the inside of the bend. Neither man relented as both cars flew round the track. But as they took the turn, the nose of Estre's vehicle made contact with Scheibner's car. And it turned the Aston Martin sideways before Scheibner went ploughing into a barrier. The force of the collision saw his motor spin upside down before hurtling back across the track. But Scheibner was amazingly able to escape from his Aston Martin, which was left severely damaged. He was then rushed to hospital for precautionary checks and released after getting the all clear from medical professionals. However, Estre ended up in hot water and was even confronted by some of Scheibner's teammates when summoned to see the stewards. He was given a telling off for his role in the crash and was hit with a 100 second penalty. Fox Sports viewers spot cameraman's embarrassing moment live during IndyCar Series 6 The Nurburgring has seen an estimated 170 deaths over the years Credit: Getty 6 F1 champ Max Verstappen recently branded it 'too dangerous' Credit: Getty The Nurburgring, which has hosted 42 F1 Grand Prix races, was recently branded 'too dangerous' by current champ Verstappen. And he insisted the sport will never return there following its last outing in 2013. He told Formula 1 Magazine: '(A return) is really not going to happen with the cars we have now. 'One thing is for sure: F1 there will never happen again. Far too dangerous.'
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Benjamin Sesko vs Viktor Gyokeres: How Arsenal's striker transfer targets compare as move for top target hits rocks
Scroll down to see the stats that matter for the pair STRIKING A BALANCE Benjamin Sesko vs Viktor Gyokeres: How Arsenal's striker transfer targets compare as move for top target hits rocks Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ARSENAL are searching for the missing piece to their puzzle, keen to add a deadly striker to their squad to help them go one step further than their three consecutive second place finishes. That search appears to have returned two options - RB Lepizig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Club's Viktor Gyokeres. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 11 Arsenal's move for Benjamin Sesko is stalling Credit: Getty 11 The Gunners are keeping Viktor Gyokeres as their backup Credit: Getty Mikel Arteta wants Sesko to be his big summer splash, but the Gunners have hit a stumbling block over wage demands. The Slovenian's camp are searching for a pay packet far in excess of what Arsenal are willing to pay the 22-year-old, an issue that is stalling a bid and could force a change of direction. Gyokeres is Arsenal's alternative option, with the Swede ready to leave Sporting after racking up an astonishing goalscoring record. Gyokeres wants to move to the Premier League and is up for grabs this summer, but the 27-year-old is becoming aware he is a second choice. READ MORE ON ARSENAL MARC MY WORDS Guehi makes summer transfer decision between Arsenal and Liverpool Arsenal haven't committed to either player yet and it looks like both are still viable options ahead of a crucial campaign for Arteta and his team. Here SunSport breaks down how each player stacks up against one and other and who might be the best fit for the Gunners... Benjamin Sesko Age: 22 Club: RB Leipzig 24/25 apps: 45 24/25 goals: 21 24/25 assists: 6 11 Sesko has been tipped to become one of the best strikers in the world Credit: Getty Benjamin Sesko is regarded as one of the brightest sparks in world football, a young striker with the potential to be a world beater in the future. That's reflected in his numbers, stats that show he isn't the finished article just yet, but a diamond that needs polishing by a top manager instead. Sesko scored 21 goals from 45 appearances last season, six more than the return of any Arsenal player, but some way off the numbers that the top strikers across Europe put up. He is playing in a league that is considered as one of the best in world football, with the Bundesliga's reputation far better than the Portuguese top flight. While he managed four goals in eight Champions League appearances last term, proving he can do it against the best with goals against Juventus, Atletico Madrid and indeed Gyokeres' Sporting Lisbon. In the Bundesliga, Sesko scored only 13 goals - comparable numbers to the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Luis Diaz in the Premier League. But for what he might lack in clinical finishing, Sesko makes up for in raw ability. Standing at an imposing 6ft 5in, the Slovenian is a physical specimen who can dominate in the air, unleash impressive pace when needed and offer support beyond finding space in the box. 11 11 Sesko scored twice against Juventus in the Champions League 11 The striker influenced the game across the pitch In fact, under 10 per cent of his touches came inside the box this season - a figure that will be appealing to Arteta as a manager who likes his players to be involved all over the pitch. His aerial ability will also be another huge draw for Arteta and set piece coach Nicolas Jover, who will be dreaming of the damage the Gunners could do with Sesko's leap in the box. The striker shows off his monstrous leap every time he scores - jumping into the air and coming miles off the ground - and that ability has come in handy with 57.4 per cent aerial success rate last term. Sesko might not be the finished article, but there's buzz that he could one day be one of the best striker's in the world. Leipzig teammate Yusuf Poulsen already thinks he's the best player he's played alongside. He said: "He's the best I've played with. If you look at his abilities, he has everything a top number nine needs… strength, shooting, technique, everything.' Viktor Gyokeres Age: 27 Club: Sporting Lisbon 24/25 apps: 52 24/25 goals: 54 24/25 assists: 13 11 Viktor Gyokeres scored more goals than anyone else in Europe's top 10 leagues last season Credit: Getty If Benjamin Sesko is the unfinished article, is Viktor Gyokeres the ready-made goal machine? Gyokeres scored an astonishing 54 goals in 52 appearances for Sporting this season, making him the deadliest forward in Europe. In the league, Gyokeres scored 39 goals in just 33 games - registering seven assists alongside that return too. However, there are question marks over how much those goals mean when they come against the quality of opposition that Sporting are facing in the Portuguese top flight. Against the likes of Porto, Braga and Benfica (the top sides in the Primeira Liga alongside Sporting), Gyokeres managed only two goals in six games. While of the 39 goals he did score in the league, almost A THIRD of them were penalties (12). However, it's hard to look past such an impressive record, regardless of the opposition. Those firmly in the Gyokeres camp will also point to the stunning Champions League hattrick he scored against Manchester City as an example of his ability against top sides, however two of those were penalties too. Although he isn't as tall as Sesko, Gyokeres still stands at 6ft 2in and is as much of a physical presence as Sesko in the box. Players often seem to fall off him as he uses his wide frame to bulldoze into goalscoring positions. 11 11 Gyokeres was on fire against Manchester City in the Champions League 11 He scored a hattrick against the Premier League side That said, he is far less imposing in the air than Sesko, something that could be putting Arsenal off making him their number one target. One positive for the Gunners is that Gyokeres is no stranger to the English game, having played for Brighton, Swansea and Coventry in the earlier stages of his career. While Gyokeres could also solve the frustration many Arsenal fans have about their players failing to shoot often enough. The former Sweden international attempted 4.5 shots per game last season, almost two more than the 2.6 averaged by current first-choice striker Kai Havertz. Gyokeres is also impressive with the ball at his feet, creating the second most chances of any other Primera Liga last season and ranking third for attempted dribbles. But if all the stats add up and Gyokeres is available, why isn't there a queue out of the door to sign him? Well, it appears the concern over the quality of Portuguese football is a genuine one, and one with a history of not paying off. Arsenal will want assurances that their Portuguese purchase is a Bruno Fernandes and not a Darwin Nunez.
