Brendan Rodgers’ decision to make significant changes at half-time in yesterday’s match, including substituting Alistair Johnston, has sparked various speculations.

Johnston, who was replaced despite not having a notably poor performance, was part of a trio of substitutions that saw Mikey Johnston and David Turnbull also making way for new players, Maeda, Tony Ralston, and Oh.

This move by Rodgers was a clear indication of his desire to tactically shake things up in response to the team’s performance.

The choice to substitute Johnston, particularly when there were other players like Greg Taylor who might have been more obvious candidates for being taken off, suggests a few potential reasons. It could have been a tactical adjustment on Rodgers’ part, seeking a specific change in the team’s formation or addressing a particular area where he felt the team was lacking. Even if Johnston wasn’t underperforming, his skill set or role might not have aligned with the new tactical direction Rodgers intended.

Another possibility is that Johnston might have been experiencing a minor injury or discomfort, not immediately apparent to fans. Managers often make precautionary substitutions in such scenarios to avoid any risk of aggravating a potential injury, especially with high-stakes matches, like the derby, on the horizon.

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