Celtic will have another representative at this year’s Copa America tournament after Canada beat Trinidad & Tobago 2-0 in a Saturday play-off.
Following defeat to Jamaica in the last round of the CONCACAF Nations League, Alistair Johnston’s side were made to work for their spot at the summer extravaganza – this year hosted by the United States.
They were siphoned into a one-off play-off on neutral ground in Texas for the chance to become Copa America qualifiers.
Johnston played all 90 minutes of the encounter against Trinidad & Tobago, featuring as a right-sided centre-back in a back three alongside Joel Waterman of CF Montreal and Portland Timbers’ Kamal Miller.
Cyle Larin was the Canadian hero, netting with a cool, low far-post finish in the 61st minute to capitalise on strong possession and pressure from the favourites.
Jacob Shaffelburg then completed the scoring in stoppage time to truly start the celebrations for Johnston and the nation’s football fans.
Celtic’s Alistair Johnston set for Lionel Messi and company
The result puts Canada into Group A where they’ll open the entire tournament against Lionel Messi’s Argentina – the current holders.
That fixture takes place on June 20th at the 71,000-capacity Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Matches against Peru and Chile will follow for a place in the quarter-finals.
Johnston will now spend most of his summer in America considering Celtic as a club are heading there in late July to take on DC United, Manchester City and Chelsea in a series of high-profile friendlies.
He won’t be the only Celtic star at this year’s big tournament either. Cameron Carter-Vickers’ United States will take on Bolivia, Panama and Uruguay in Group C.
And, although he’s injured and had to drop out of their big match, Luis Palma’s Honduras play a similar play-off tie against Costa Rica later on Saturday night for a spot in Group D alongside Brazil, Colombia and Paraguay.