CELTIC star Alistair Johnston had another nightmare on his return to action as 77-year-old former Rangers boss Dick Advocaat pulled off a shock against Canada.
The Hoops defender missed the crucial final penalty in the Scottish Cup Final which meant Aberdeen won the trophy at Hampden last month.
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He was nursing a minor back injury and returned to action this weekend at the Gold Cup against Caribbean minnows Curacao, who are now managed by Advocaat, after he came out of retirement for the fifth time to take charge of his eighth international country earlier this year.
But after coming on as a late sub, he gave the ball away to former PSV Eindhoven striker Jeremy Antonisse deep into injury time who netted to claim a remarkable 1-1 draw in Houston and speak off scenes of celebration for the tiny nation.
Johnston was absent for the tournament opener against Honduras, as well as the recent friendlies against Ukraine and Ivory Coast.
Last night was his 54th cap and it was a rare mistake from the right-back who is usually Mr Reliable at the back for Canada.
Advocaat – who has now managed the Netherlands three times, Belgium, Russia, Serbia, South Korea, Iraq, UAE and now Curacao – said: “That was a great achievement for us to get a draw against a huge country like Canada.
“But it was the least we deserved and credit to the players.”
Canada still sit top of Group B with four points, while Advocaat’s side are sitting in third – one point behind Honduras – with two points.
Canada lifted the cup back in 2000 and will be hoping to replicate that triumph this year with their current crop of top stars.
They reached the semi-final in 2021 and Johnston was involved in the squad after being called up to the senior team for the first time in January that year.
The final of this year’s competition will be played on July 7 – three days after Celtic are due to face Queen‘s Park in a pre-season friendly.
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