Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson impressed on the international stage as Wales were held to a 0-0 by Finland today.
Wales had been hit by a raft of withdrawals ahead of the friendly in Helsinki, with former Reds loanee Aaron Ramsey, Joe Rodon, David Brooks, and Neco Williams among the players ruled out. Welsh talisman Gareth Bale started on the bench.
Those absentees presented an opportunity to Johnson, who was handed a start by interim manager Rob Page.
The 20-year-old was involved in the game’s main talking point, with his trickery earning Wales a first-half penalty.
However, Harry Wilson’s poor spot-kick was saved by Finnish goalkeeper Carljohan Eriksson.
Johnson was substituted on 63 minutes, with Rubin Colwill taking his place. Bale came off the bench 20 minutes later, but Wales couldn’t conjure up a winner.
Johnson’s performance drew praise from our colleagues at Wales Online, who gave the youngster a 7/10 rating, writing: “Nottingham Forest attacker was a livewire in the first half and won the penalty brilliantly. Formed good partnership with (Jonny) Williams down the right-hand side. Subbed in second half.”
Johnson will now hope to be involved in Wales’ upcoming World Cup qualifiers, away to Belarus on Sunday and at home to Estonia next Wednesday.
