News about Alistair Johnston

Celtic legend Chris Sutton has hit back at Graeme Souness' claim that he tried to 'influence' VAR with his 'biased' commentary during Sunday's Old Firm derby. Sutton, who played for Celtic between 2000 and 2006, was in the commentary box for Sky Sports at Ibrox, and watched his former club take a 2-0 lead in the first half. However, Rangers bounced back in the early stages of the second half, and Fabio Silva won a penalty after a tackle by Alistair Johnston. The referee originally waved play on, but VAR intervened, despite Sutton accusing Silva of 'cheating' after performing an 'embarrassing' dive.

In a six-goal thriller at Ibrox, the two bitter rivals clawed back and clinched a dramatic moment in second-half stoppage time. Celtic were outraged shortly after the break, but Fabio Silva was booked for diving before the decision was reversed and a penalty was issued. Silva was defeated by Alistair Johnston inside the penalty area, but referee John Beaton gave him a yellow card for simulation. But VAR Nick Walsh soon urged Beaton to investigate the incident on his pitch monitor, which resulted in him wiping out the warning and pointing to the spot.

Brendan Rodgers believes that the season's tale has already been written. Continued play for another ten games, and Celtic could also push for a late, decisive rewrite. A tough watch in recent weeks has established a belief among supporters that the champions are older and less clinical than they used to be. Last night, as the Magnificent Seven rang around Parkhead, laments for Angeball's demise were finally brought to a conclusion. A display of high-speed football was reminiscent of the Brodgeball of Northern Irelandman's first spell as administrator. And a Rangers victory in Kilmarnock didn't manage to polish the effect.

In yesterday's 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock, the Ibrox side conceded their first penalty in 75 league games. During Celtic's loss at Parkhead, John Souttar was suspended for a spot-kick converted by Danny Armstrong - three days after Celtic's Alistair Johnston was banned from receiving his punishment.

STEPHEN MCGOWAN AT CELTIC PARK: The Champions League Celtic's ten-year streak of woe finally came to an end. Heroism has appeared in the most unexpected quarters at times. Gustaf Lagerbielke's prospects had been bleak after a £3 million sign in the summer. Since the Parkhead preview, the young defender seemed to have to buy a season ticket to get back to the park. The late goal that gave Celtic's first Champions League victory in six years since defeating Ajax in October 2013 gave Brendan Rodgers a brief reminder that he was only named Player of the year.

Any Celtic have evidently been lacking at the European level this season, it appears that the chasing pack in Scotland will still have to roll a double-six to avoid a bloody nose. Miles off the pace for 45 minutes in Perth, Brendan Rodgers' fury at the manner in which Diallang Jaiyesemi gave St Johnstone an interval lead was entirely understandable. Just as Craig Levein's side was raving over becoming the first to take the champions' scalp in the Premiership this season, they were given a reminder of why such feats are so rare.

Pedro stole Celtic hearts with a last-gasp winner to seal all three points for Lazio at Celtic Park.

Brendan Rodgers was obviously brash this week in his assessment of Celtic being poorer than at this time last season, but he didn't need this game to emphasize the point. This anaemic display effort would have come as a wake-up call for those working under the misapprehension that the Parkhead chief was only engaged in a little public bluster ahead of the transfer window's closing on Friday. Anxiety among the home support that two of three points Rangers had lost long before eight more minutes had arrived and gone, and two of three points were likely to be refunded on the first day at Kilmarnock.

GRAEME CROSER AT CELTIC PARK: The Premiership winners' celebrations began early as Celtic romped to a 5-0 finish at Celtic Park on a glorious afternoon for the champions. Kyogo Furuhashi got the party off to a blistering season by unleashing a surgical assault on Kelle Roos just inside the first half an hour. Just five minutes after, the Japan national netted in an audacious way to defeat Roos and snatch his second.

Celtic have progressed to a Scottish Cup final match against Inverness after defeating Rangers by a single goal in the Old Firm derby at Ibrox on Sunday thanks to Jota's first-half strike. Despite Rangers threatening to equalize on multiple occasions, Jota's 14th goal of the season across all competitions was enough for Ange Postecoglou's side to hold on.

Rangers were left 'astonished' after the Scottish FA supported the decision to refuse a goal scored by Alfredo Morelos during Saturday's Old Firm derby. Morelos was found to have pushed Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston before turning the ball into the back of the net, giving the visitors the lead at Parkhead. However, referee Kevin Clancy was disallowed by referee Aaron Clancy and not overturned by VAR officials, with Celtic going on to win by a 3-2 victory, moving 12 points ahead of their opponents at the top of the SPL.

Rangers will write to the Scottish Football Association, asking an explanation as to why Alfredo Morelos' first-half 'goal' at Celtic Park was disqualified out, according to the PA news department. The Gers striker had the ball in the net from a corner, but referee Kevin Clancy ruled that the Colombian fouled Hoops right-back Alistair Johnston when it seemed that both players were tangling with each other. The Light Blues lost 3-2 to their Old Firm neighbors, who are now 12 points clear of Michael Beale's side in the cinch Premiership.

JOHN MCGARRY, DINGWALL: These are the days when Ange Postecoglou seems to have it so easy, as Celtic boss Just don't have water. With 95 minutes played at Dingwall, the visitors were limited to a contested VAR awarding penalty for their efforts. The Australian side was running the risk of an untimely losation in the third round, while the home straight is a way behind.

After Alexandro Bernabei escaped a red card in Celtic's 3-1 victory over Hearts, Robbie Neilson called VAR a "shambles." Referee Alan Muir for a late lunging challenge on Jambos full-back Nathaniel Atkinson in the 28th minute had the Argentine left-back saved a yellow card. Bernabe went unpunished after a report by VAR official Nick Walsh, as Neilson said nothing less than a 'decapitation' would have brought the charges against the Parkhead defender.

JOHN MCGARRY: Suggestions that the balance of power in Scottish football may have been tilted back toward Glasgow's south side seem to have been exaggerated. Despite Michael Beale's arguably improved Rangers since being in charge of the Viaplay Cup in November, they were still struggling to loosen Celtic's grip. Ange Postecoglou's side deservedly retained the first trophy the Australian won at Parkhead last season.

Players haven't been paid, let alone equal pay. Before going to 11-on-11, training staff will have to step in so they can do 11-on-11 exercises. This year, the youth national teams have just one camp. The Canadian parliament is considering a report that could bring players up to Ottawa for hearings. The Canadian women's national team (CWNT or CXNT) is fighting in Orlando, with two days remaining until they face the reigning World Cup champions in the SheBelieves Cup. Members of a physically ill and angry Canada team discussed the team's current situation and what little progress has been made between them and Canada Soccer (CSA).

Celtic will eventually come a cropper in their own back yard. It's likely that you won't spend a lot of money on it if it comes any time soon. Livingston, one of Scotland's finest sides in recent seasons, should have posed a major obstacle to Ange Postecoglou's side as they prepare to claim their second straight league title. Nonetheless, their threat was dealt with in a similar way as a tumultuous fly was swatted. David Martindale's only consolation was that his team is not alone in this regard.

After losing a crucial point against Rangers, Ange Postecoglou praised his Celtic players' never-say-die mentality. As the champions snatched a 2-2 draw at Ibrox, the Parkhead top scorer smashed his 16th goal of the season in the 88th minute. Furuhashi's first goal against Rangers was the 17th goal of a game this season, and the final 15 minutes were clear at the SPFL Premiership summit.

James (right), a blues star, was forced to return to action after a knee injury that kept him sidelined for three months and barred him from participation in the World Cup. Chelsea is expected to increase their long-term interest in Croatian Juranovic (pictured). The 27-year-old, who was selected in the tournament's World Cup team, could cost as little as £8 million. Celtic have been known to being open to receiving bids for their star defender during the January transfer window, which has piqued increasing Premier League interest.

Ange Postecoglou accused his Celtic frontmen of failing to do their jobs properly. With a 2-1 victory over Livingston An Oyo Abileye own goal and a Kyogo Furuhashi strike, the champions extended their advantage over Rangers at the Scottish Premiership's summit to nine points.

Livingstonians are unlikely to profit from a lot of love or admiration surrounding the Scottish Premiership. Celtic's resentment of them playing them could be a little more intense than others. You might as well know why on nights like this. The champions ended the night by resurrecting their advantage over Rangers at the top of the Premiership by nine points. They were put to work harder than they expected against a cussed competitor, but they were forced to do more than they expected. Make no mistake, this was the slog of a win. Kudos to David Martindale's team. At the end of the first half, two goals down, looking down and out.

Since impressing in Croatia's World Cup campaign, Celtic right back Josip Juranovic has piqued the interest of several European clubs. Despite being in and out of his club, the 27-year-old played every minute for his country in Qatar as Croatia finished third in the tournament. In the quarter final, he was particularly impressive, keeping Vinicius Junior calm as Zlatko Dalic's team knocked out favorites Brazil.

MIKE KEEGAN: The Atletico Madrid of world football has been a success. Croatia, the World Cup's mighty machine, has seen off Brazil. Another knockout game and another shootout triumph for the perennial underachievers. Is that a good thing? No, the pure football brigade would say no. That's just too bad. This is a tournament in which it is impossible to tell fact from fiction. For example, the stadiums. They all have their own shapes - traditional headwear here, female anatomy there. But on the inside, they tend to be three-tiered identical replicas of each other. And if HMS Wag, which was dressed up as party central, is now an almost-deserted floating shell, where bands outnumber the guests they are playing for. A reassuring presence in Croatia, despite being curmudgeonly.

In the pair's last group match of December, Canada's first World Cup tournament in 36 years will be held against high-flying Morocco. Although the Maple Leafs are unlikely to advance any further, they will want to make more history and win their first-ever World Cup match. In comparison, Morocco currently sits second in Group F with four points, only behind Croatia due to a poorer goal difference.