Alistair Johnston

We didn't know this before. Cortisone injections ? Not good.
Might be better playing Ralston in the Cup Final then.

 

Should be rested completely. Shouldn't be given injections for pain. Could end up doing a Tierney to him.

 

Think we missed his forward play yesterday

 

We did. Although he was embarrassingly pish last time he faced them..

 

True, that’s how I said going forward.

 

Canadian right-back Alistair Johnston will also miss out against Hibs after having had a pain-killing hip injection, but could return in time to face Aberdeen in midweek at Pittodrie

 

Wouldn't risk him at all. Want him fit for the final.

 

For sure but I think he should start against St Mirren as it would be good for those who have and will miss these games right now to get game time under their belt before the final.

 

At this stage it's crazy risking him. Get him rested for next season.

We broke KT and we have done our best to break Cal Mac as well.

Sound like a broken record but we need a stronger squad so players like AJ can be rested as these days it's rare to expect players to turn up 50+ games a season.

 

Yeah no need to risk. Ralston is absolutely fine playing instead of him.

 

I think we have to remember that players want to play games. Maybe we could rest Calmac more, but will he want that? Absolutely not.

When you say rest AJ for next season, you meant even rest him for the cup final?

 

Ultimately it doesn't matter what the player wants, even if it's the captain, if it's best for the team and for them, then the manager should be making that call. Sometimes players need to be protected from themselves.

 

Not that they play the same side of the pitch but can only imagine the type of stats we could end up seeing next season with the right tweaks and guys like AJ, Jota when fully fit and firing, Kuhn, Maeda, Engles, KT, Hatate if he still here, all likely to be the main guys.

Not including the surprising numbers guys like McCowan has posted, the utility of Bernardo, CalMac also doing well with chipping in with goals.

AJ could be some talent for us next season.

 

I understand that but no way we rest AJ for the cup final, that's career highlight kinda stuff.

 

AJ on the right and Tierney on the left next season is some prospect. Can't really remember the last time we were that strong in both positions at the same time.

 

If he's not fit enough then yes he should be rested.

Why risk a long term injury for a game against Aberdeen we should be winning. Rather that than perhaps miss games early next season as we try qualify for the CL.

Most players do want to play but it's a different game now. Like I said very few players play as many games as likes of Cal Mac and you could see its catching up with him.

 

I should have bolded the first part of your post as that was the section I was really replying to.

If AJ is fit of course he's starting the final, I wouldn't risk him tonight though as anyone they suspect to have a niggle will be getting "tested" and it's not worth the risk.

 

He's massively better this season in getting forward effectively. Really wasn't that impressed with that part of his game last term but he's definitely upped his contribution.

Not sure Tierney had a lot amount of assists at all, but it's been quite a while so