Alistair Johnston reckons that Celtic can add to our other famous nights in European football when we face the awesome Atletico Madrid in Spain this evening.
The Hoops have only managed to pick up the singular point for their gallant efforts so far in Champions League group stage football this season, but the Canadian insists the club could add to that if they play to their full potential.
Of course, this week commemorates 136-years since the Glasgow giants were founded by Brother Walfrid in the Calton and in the past, we have taken some big scalps around this date. Beating Barcelona 2-1 in 2012 under Neil Lennon is probably the most famous example of this unique magic that fills the air whenever the Bhoys are in action and if eveer there were a night to break the hoodoo, it would be this one. Not to mention the last time we won away in Europe, again under Lennon in 2019 against Lazio in Rome.
Ahead of the match, Alistair said to Celtic TV at the Metropolitano: “Looks like the stars are aligning when you say that! We won’t put too much pressure on ourselves with the history of it but it would be special. That date does resonate, there’s some big matches in the club’s history. We would love to add to that, hopefully we can make it another memorable night.
⚽️ | We were delighted to welcome @CelticFC’s 🇨🇦 international @_a_johnston to Sunday’s home game 🆚 the @cardiffdevils. pic.twitter.com/vFcrBONr4T
— Glasgow Clan 🏒💜 (@ClanIHC) November 6, 2023
“We showed we can play against anyone with some of the goals we scored, the free-flowing football. It’s something not just Celtic supporters but supporters around the world that follow the Champions League have taken to, seen and admired. We’re in the business to win and we want to progress out of this group – it’s not going to be easy but that’s what the Champions League is all about. It’s a huge draw playing for Celtic in these games, to compete against the best players in the world is a massive draw – we all want to compete and see who is the best.”
In spite of the acknowledgement that tonight’s opponents are blessed with an embarrassment of talent and experience, the full-back insists this Celtic side are not in th least bit scared of Diego Simeone and his cohorts.
He added: “There are some unbelievable players in this Atletico team, the squad is littered with Champions League and World Cup winners, a trophy case that some of these players have is unbelievable. But that doesn’t strike fear in to us, it gives us motivation to go out there and show that we belong.”
Paul Gillespie
