Alistair Johnston: Nobody Bullies Celtic Players

Alistair Johnston followed up his League Cup performance against theRangers last week with another tremendous performance today in the Scottish Premiership. Rising high at the back post to meet a cross, the Canadian right-back managed to grab his first goal for the club and also get his side ahead from being behind in the first period of the game.

Last week however, Johnston was everywhere on that field at Hampden Park and was integral to us lifting our first piece of silverware this season under Ange Postecoglou. After his debut at Ibrox way back in the New Year, he has slotted into the team without a hitch and has proven his worth already.

Previously having put down for the record his love of the physical side of competitive sport, and having already played ice hockey back home in Cananda, Alistair is a complete competitor out there on the pitch and his recent displays have backed that up. He goes to war every single time he wears the Celtic jersey and he has only been here a matter of weeks really.

One such incident summed up the former FC Montreal player’s attitude and mentality last weekend in that cauldron of a football match at the national stadium. Johnston had a moment of fiesty words and a bit of a physical altercation with theRangers counterpart, Borna Barisic, showing his hunger and also unwavering commitment to his teammates in the heat of battle.

Speaking of the clash with the Croatian left-back, he said: “It’s important that we don’t get pushed around on the scoreline or on the pitch, as reported by Football Scotland. “I kind of take that with a bit of pride. That’s something that’s always been in my DNA. I like to mix it up a little bit and I take a lot of joy in that, especially as a defender.”

The 24-year-old added: “So whenever there’s an opportunity or if I feel like someone is trying to take advantage of one of our super technical players, then I’m going to go in there and stand up for them. I think that just shows the unity and the family spirit that we have at this club just now.”

Johnston’s actions really just sum up the feeling within the Celtic camp at the moment, and prove beyond all doubt that Ange Postecoglou is building something special within the walls of Lennoxtown. No matter who comes into this group, they seem to embody the best qualities of Celtic Football Club and it is revealed in the bond that has been created between the team and the Hoops supporters.

Ally’s gonnie get ye!

Paul Gillespie

About Author

I'm a Garngad Bhoy through and through. My first ever Celtic game was a friendly against Italian side Parma at Celtic Park, in 2002. Currently a student of English Literature and Education at the University of Strathclyde for my sins. Favourite game would be a toss up between beating Manchester United with that Naka freekick, or the game against the Oldco when Hesselink scored in the dying seconds. I'm still convinced Cal Mac is wasted playing that far back.

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