How Celtic's Alistair Johnston tore Hearts asunder

Fantastic first-half finishes from Aaron Mooy and Kyogo put the Hoops in control in the capital before Cameron Carter-Vickers headed home late on to seal their place in the last four.

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou made five changes from the side that secured a win over Hearts at Celtic Park just three days earlier with Alistair Johnston, Reo Hatate, Greg Taylor, Sead Haksabanovic and Jota coming in for Anthony Ralston, Alexandro Bernabei, Matt O’Riley, Liel Abada and Daizen Maeda.

After sitting out the 3-1 victory last midweek, the first time he had missed any league minutes since his debut, January signing Johnston returned to the side in style with another impressive showing at right-back.

The Canada international put in another solid defensive display, blunting one of Hearts' biggest threats in Barrie McKay.

Johnston, who netted his first Hoops goal in his last outing at St Mirren, also showed further signs of his growing influence going forward too, playing a pivotal role in two of Celtic’s three goals.

Here, we break down how Johnston’s increasing attacking output was key in helping Celtic sweep Hearts aside to make the final four of the Scottish Cup…

Mooy goal (2 mins)

The Vancouver-born full-back's first meaningful action in the match was to play an important role in the build-up to Mooy’s opener.

Given his first touch of the afternoon by Cameron Carter-Vickers, Johnston quickly turned and clipped a nicely weighted ball down the line.

The chipped pass took Hearts left wing-back Stephen Kingsley out of the game and tempted left centre-back Kye Rowles into rushing out in an attempt to cut the ball out.

Rowles rash decision backfired as the Australian international missed the ball, allowing Jota to freely drive into the final third and set up Mooy to break the deadlock less than two minutes in with a fine left-foot finish.

A sweeping move that would set the tone for the afternoon, Johnston’s positivity in the opening seconds of the game to immediately look forward helped catch the Hearts defence, Rowles in particular, cold.

Pass to Jota (12 mins)

Johnston continued to see plenty of the ball in the opening exchanges. This included a few examples of him fully committing the inverted role that is demanded of a full-back in Postecoglou’s Celtic system.

One example of this came in the 12th minute. Already in an advanced central area, Johnston moved even further infield to receive in the centre of the pitch from Carl Starfelt on the opposite side.

Here, by opening up his body as he received the pass from Starfelt, Johnston was able to quickly open up the pitch in front of him.

As with the pass down the line for Jota, Johnston took just one touch before switching the ball across to the right with his second.

However, he was almost too quick for Jota on this occasion with the Portuguese winger flagged offside as he dropped in to receive.

Despite that, this was another good example of Johnston becoming adept at the inverted aspect of the full-back role.

Assist (44 mins)

Johnston then capped a fine first-period showing by providing the cross for Kyogo to double Celtic’s lead on the stroke of half-time.

Taking a quick throw to Mooy, something that has also been a hallmark of this side, Johnston was again too sharp for the home side.

With only Kingsley getting out to Mooy, the Hoops were two-v-one with Johnston able to hold his position and wait for the ball back from the former Huddersfield man.

After drawing Kingsley in, Mooy’s pass allowed Johnston to cross first time.

Although he had plenty of time, Johnston’s fizzed ball into the box was well-measured to the front post area for Kyogo, the Japanese striker then doing what he does best, getting across his man to finish in style with a brilliant flick into the far corner.

Pass to Mooy (75 mins)

The 24-year-old followed up his fine first-half showing with another solid display in the second 45 minutes.

Again, he showcased his developing adaption to the system on the ball. One example of this came as the game entered the final 15 minutes.

Despite being two up at this late stage, Johnston highlighted how he is also adapting to the philosophy of playing forward at every opportunity, no matter the game-state. 

Receiving from Carter-Vickers and with three Hearts players nearby, he could have easily opted to play it safe and roll the ball back to the USA international.

However, and with some encouragement from his captain Callum McGregor, Johnston switched the ball onto his left to play the risker pass through the lines.

Bypassing the three Hearts players who were applying pressure, Johnston’s pass found Mooy between the lines, who in turn was able to play to Hatate in space put wide.

READ MORE: Detailed Celtic player ratings as Jota rips Hearts apart

Wyscout data

Johnston’s overall influence on the match is further highlighted in post-match data from Wyscout.

The above graphic shows most of Celtic’s attacks came down his side, 25 compared to 14 on the left and 12 through the middle. The right flank also generated the highest xG value (1.19).

His contribution to building attacks down the right can also be seen in his progressive passing numbers. No other player completed more of these types of passes, a pass that moves the ball considerably forward, than the Canadian (10 out of 13 attempted).

As well as shining a light on his attacking output, the numbers from the game at Tynecastle also highlight what we’ve already come to expect from Johnston defensively too.

Involved in more defensive duels than any other Celtic player (10), he once again relished the physical side and impressively came out on top in nine of them.

That 90 per cent win rate was the highest of any player in green and white who was involved in more than one defensive duel. 

In terms of his other duel numbers, Johnston won three of his five offensive duels, and one of his two aerial duels. He also came out on top in his one loose-ball duel.

Despite all his defensive output, Johnston did not make one foul and was the joint most fouled himself, alongside Jota and Abada (two). Defensively, he also contributed three interceptions and two clearances.

Conclusion

Johnston has seamlessly taken over from Josip Juranovic as Postecoglou’s first-choice right-back.

A defensive rock from his very first appearance for the Hoops, the committed Canadian is clearly adjusting well to the attacking side of the game now too.

Should Johnston continue in this vein then he will certainly make a case for being one of Postecoglou’s best signings – the ultimate compliment given the Celtic boss’s record in that department.