Celtic Star in Scathing Referee Assessment After Copa America Incident

Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston has given a scathing assessment of the officiating at the Copa America after he was headbutted in Canada’s 1-0 win over Peru on Tuesday.

The defender was caught up in the incident towards the end of the first half. Johnston exchanged a few words with Marcos Lopez before the midfielder took things too far.

Despite the act of violence and Johnston falling to the ground, Lopez suffered no repercussions. The Feyenoord man stayed on the pitch, much to the dismay of the double-winner.

“It really just encapsulates exactly what we knew we were going to get in this tournament”, admitted Johnston (Football Scotland).

“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.”

Having defeated Peru after losing 2-0 to Argentina in the opening match of the Copa, the Canadians have a crunch tie with Chile on Saturday evening (early Sunday morning in the UK).

A win would see them progress to the quarter-finals, and prolong Johnston’s return to Celtic for the 2024/25 campaign.

Regardless of what happens, though, the 25-year-old will in all likelihood not be back in time for the Bhoys’ first pre-season friendly with Ayr United next Friday.

A trip to Somerset Park beckons for the champions as they prepare for the new season and their title defence.