Ally Johnston arrives as Celtic as one of three right-backs at the club and for now at least he’ll be in the squad alongside Anthony Ralston and when he gets back from the World Cup next week Josip Juranovic.
Now, Johnston can’t play for Celtic until January and with Croatia playing Argentina this evening in the World Cup semi-final, Juranovic will either be playing in the final or the third place play-off match this weekend before getting some time off before heading back to Celtic.
So for now it’s Anthony Ralston with the jersey then – assuming Juranovic is still around in January – it’ going to be intense competition for places in The Celtic starting eleven for the right back slot.
Johnston yesterday talked up both of his new teammates who have this season shared the right back duties at his new club and he sees himself as very different to both.
“As much as I’d love to be like Josip, he plays a completely different style to me,” Celtic’s latest signing Ally Johnston noted at his media conference at Celtic Park yesterday afternoon. “That’s just the nature of the game. There are things in his game I’d love to incorporate into mine, so I’ll pick his brains and watch how he trains.
“Anthony Ralston is a top player, as well, he possesses traits I’d love to incorporate into my game. As you progress, you need to take all those things on board.
“For me, Josip has a super high level and I’d love to reach that. But it’s about becoming a better version of myself, wherever that ends up being on the scale. I’m not sure if that lines up with him, but if I keep getting better every day, I’ll hit a pretty good spot.”
The Canada World Cup star signed a five year contract and realises that there is a weight of expectation to deliver now that he’s made the move to a massive club like Celtic.
“This club, if you don’t win, there will be questions asked,” Ally Johnston admitted. “That’s what you want, to be in a place that puts you into the best situation to win trophies. Celtic have shown that their entire history. You want to be under pressure. This club is at a really cool stage and I think it’s going to continue to grow for the next couple of years.”
Watch Ally Johnston’s media conference below…
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