Hatters boss expects Johnston to bounce back after costly mistake

Hatters boss Jack Wilshere has backed defender George Johnston to come back strongly following his costly mistake during Luton’s 2-1 defeat at MK Dons on Saturday.

The 28-year-old, who joined on a free transfer in the summer having captained Bolton Wanderers to promotion from League One via the play-offs, had been one of Town’s most consistent performers going into the contest at Stadium MK, missing just 30 minutes of third football football and that only came when he suffered a broken nose against Wycombe Wanderers last weekend.

Johnston had been giving another assured display for the majority of the contest on Saturday too, ensuring keeper James Shea having very little to do in terms of shots at his goal, Town conceding to an Alex Gilbey 35-yard wonder strike in the first period. However, once Jordan Clark had drawn the scores level with 20 minutes left, firing home on his left foot, Luton looked like it was they who would go on and snatch the points, until hosts' keeper Will Dennis sent a long ball downfield.

For reasons known only to him, Town’s centre half, usually so no-nonsense when it comes to defending, attempted to take the punt down on his chest, only to see striker Dons’ leading scorer Aaron Collins nip in and gain possession. The forward then got away from Johnston to break into the box, but despite going away from goal, and taking a poor touch that would see the ball run out of play, then, desperate to atone for his mistake, the ex-Liverpool youngster needlessly slid in, only able to catch the trailing leg of Collins, who went to ground.

Referee Martin Coy, who had missed a clear handball by Callum Marshall just a minute or so earlier, initially looked like he wasn’t going to award a penalty, but after some consideration, he eventually blew his whistle and pointed to the spot, with Collins himself getting up to fire beyond the dive of James Shea and into the side-netting, putting the Dons in front.

Luton were unable to hit back in the closing stages, as they fell to a thoroughly morale-sapping defeat, as on Johnston, speaking afterwards, Wilshere said: “George has been top since he’s been here. He’s fitted into the group and played really, really well, one of our most consistent performers.

"Apart from that moment, I thought he was good and okay, the first mistake happens where you let them get the ball and you probably should clear it, but then it’s always, whenever you concede something or a bad moment happens, it’s about having that control then not to follow up a mistake with another mistake. George will be fine, he’s been really good for us and I’m sure he’ll continue to do that.”

Skipper Kal Naismith, who himself has made some high-profile errors since returning to the club, also believes that his team-mate will be okay, especially with another game against Barnsley on the horizon tomorrow evening, adding: “He’s down, but I said to him, ‘let’s go’. He’ll bounce back, I know he will, he’s that type of character. I spoke about his character, as good as he’s played, and he’s been outstanding for me, and he was outstanding today.

"I thought the two centre halves were incredible, they won absolutely everything against two strikers that they leave up constantly. George was amazing, it’s a little mistake that he knows and then he tries to rectify the mistake. I’ve been there, I’ve done it, but listen, he’ll bounce back. He’s been outstanding, but more importantly his character around the place. I know that won’t faze him and he’ll be there on Tuesday.”