Hibernian winger Junior Hoilett says he 'always knew' Alistair Johnston would become a top player.
The veteran attacker plays with the Celtic right-back for Canada and hailed him as a key leader in the national team.
The compatriots lock horns this weekend in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup, with Hoilett's Hibs making the jaunt through to Glasgow's east alongside a hefty 7,000 of their supporters.
Ahead of the match, the 34-year-old opened up on Johnston and how his continual improvements and performances aren't much of a surprise: "I always knew he would be good," said Hoilett (The Scotsman).
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"He's a very confident and strong player. To see how well he's done over here to gel so quickly and play for a top team and play in the top leagues, the Champions League, is great for Canada.
"I'm happy for him. He's my rival this weekend so I can't keep boosting him up! He's done major, and he's done big stuff for Canada, so to keep that going for him is good for the sport of Canada."
Johnston has registered over 50 caps for Canada and will have realistic ambitions of playing at next year's World Cup, which the country is co-hosting alongside the United States and Mexico.
Hoilett described just how key a figure Johnston is in the national setup: "He's one of the leaders in the team," he said.
"He has some of the most caps in our current squad now at such a young age. It shows the way he carries himself not only on the field but off the field. He's a true leader and a true representative of Canada."
