FIFA has opened the shortlist nominations for its ninth edition of 'The Best FIFA Football Awards', and Celtic and the Canadian national team's Alistair Johnston is among the defenders who have made the cut.

The 26-year-old has excelled at right-back for Celtic this year under Brendan Rodgers, and has carried his fine form at club level onto the international stage.

Among the 22 shortlist nominees is former Celt and current Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong, while other names on the list include Arsenal's William Saliba, Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger and Benfica's Nicolas Otamendi.


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Here's the blurb as per the official FIFA website: "The biggest change in terms of voting for this year’s edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards is that fans will have their say in selecting The Best FIFA Men’s 11 and The Best FIFA Women’s 11.

"They will be able to choose from a list of 77 nominated players – 22 defenders, midfielders and forwards apiece, plus 11 goalkeepers – slotting them into one of several preset tactical formations to build their team. Votes will be weighted equally between fans and an expert panel."

Fancy casting your own vote? You can do so by heading over to the FIFA website right now.