Celtic star Alistair Johnston insists he would have been sent off if the roles were reversed after he was headbutted by Peru star Marcos Lopez.

But he praised his Canadian teammates for keeping their discipline in a fiery Copa America clash as they got the last laugh by winning 1-0.

The Hoops full-back was the subject of a shocking assault by Feyenoord star Lopez and the ref and VAR incredibly took no further action.

But Johnston revealed it was exactly what they expected from the hot-headed South Americans.

He said: "It really just encapsulates exactly what we knew we were going to get in this tournament.

"We can't rely on the refs to give us anything. We just have to put the ball in the back of the net and pray that VAR lets it stand.

"We really can't bank on getting any calls here, that's something we discussed going into this game.

"So I can't say I was too surprised I got up and he waved it on. I just know if it had gone the other way I have a feeling it would have been me that would have been walking down that tunnel.

"But that's football and I am glad the team kept their composure because that was an easy one where we could have lost it. We focussed on the task, got in at half time and regrouped.

"At the end of the day, no matter how ugly it gets, it always feels great when you walk away and get the points. It shows no matter the conditions, we can play against any team.

"We can compete with any team no matter what they throw at it."

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And Johnston was delighted they won the scrap and now face Chile next on Sunday.

He said: "It was hard. It was a battle of attrition, which is the best way to describe it.

"It wasn't really football, it was a mental and physical battle. I am proud of the group for keeping our discipline.

"There was a lot of talk in the media it was going to be a street fight and it ended up turning into one and they eventually got the red card.

"We kept our cool. There were moments when we could have retaliated and been silly, but we stuck to the game plan and got the goal.

"It wasn't pretty but in tournament football, it's about the result and that's what the big teams do.

"We have given ourselves a really good chance of getting to the final group stages."