Alistair Johnston has warned his fellow Canadians about being overwhelmed by the big occasion when they face Morocco in their World Cup Last-16 encounter…
The Celtic defender and his compatriots will do battle against Scotland’s conquerors from Group C this weekend, when they fight for an historic Quarter-final place.
The marauding right-back is preparing mentally for the potential powderkeg atmosphere that the Canadians will face, when they come up against the North African nation in Houston at Saturday tea-time (Celtic Park time).
It should be a wonderful occasion for both sets of players and their respective fanbases in the USA, in the Last-16 of this year’s historical international tournament.
AJ and his teammates have already seen off South Africa in the last Round of 32, and have the opportunity to make history by reaching the Quarter-finals of a FIFA World Cup, for the first time in the country’s history.
The 27-year-old is incredibly proud of both he and his country’s achievements thus far in the competition though, highlighting just how far they have come under Jesse Marsch’s tutelage.
Speaking ahead of the match, the Hoops defender was reflecting on a strong showing at the biggest football show on earth right now, getting out of a group with Switzerland and Bosnia, whilst seeing off South Africa too in the knockouts.
“I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror after this World Cup and say that we left it all out there, and I do think that so far in this tournament we’ve done that,” Johnston said.
Even though the Canadians will be away from their home country for this one again, AJ insists it will still have a massive impact on football back home.
“Even though we’re down in Houston, we know what kind of cultural impact this is having back home, and that’s something that resonates with us — we also know that the best way to continue to grow the game is to win,” a determined Celtic star said.
Alistair warned his comrades about falling into the trap of feeling overwhelmed by the spectacle and forgetting to concentrate fully on the match.
“I’ve been trying to tell the guys to play the game, not the occasion,” he revealed.
“It’s going to be loud, and there are going to be noises that you didn’t even know were possible to be made in a stadium, and it’s going to be unbelievably tough to focus. But we need to remember we’re all in this together,” a focused Johnston stated at his Friday press conference.
Alistair on what this run has meant, and how it’ll eventually be remembered 🎙️ #CANMNT pic.twitter.com/khQVgPmp2J
— CANMNT (@CANMNT_Official) July 3, 2026
Best of luck Alistair!
Paul Gillespie
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