‘I might have to bin it’ – Celtic’s Alistair Johnston makes kit quip after Feyenoord end EIGHT-MONTH streak
ALISTAIR JOHNSTON’S remarkable unbeaten run as a Celtic player came to an abrupt end in Rotterdam.
But the Canadian has quickly set his sights on bouncing back and going on another.
Right-back Johnston hadn’t tasted defeat in his 23 previous appearances in the Hoops after signing from Montreal eight months ago.
In that time, he’s already added success in every domestic trophy to his CV.
Then came Feyenoord and a Champions League night of misery on Tuesday as Brendan Rodgers’ side finished with nine men after red cards for new Bhoys Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Thiago Holm.
Johnston was arguably Celts’ best player at De Kuip, but that recognition for his debut in the competition was cold comfort in a 2-0 defeat.
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And the 24-year-old quipped he knew his record was doomed from before kick-off.
Johnston said: “I think it’s the kit. It has to be the green and white hoops. So I might have to bin that green one. That result levels it a little bit for me, doesn’t it? But that’s the Champions League for you.
“So, yes, it’s a bit frustrating to lose that record.
“But it was going to happen at some point, so hopefully we can bounce back and start another streak.
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“You’re playing against teams that have quality all over the pitch and any little mistakes, mental errors and things that an inexperienced group can make, are punished.
“I’m not necessarily saying we’re inexperienced, but we do have a lot of players who were making their Champions League debuts, me included.
“The only guy who’s got a ton of them is probably Joe Hart. I think he played a really good game again.
“He made a couple of big saves for us which is what we needed. It helped us stay in it.
“We were in that game, but obviously once you go down to ten and then to nine men away from home, you’re asking a lot from yourselves.
“Leading up to that there were definitely some positives for us to take.
“But at the same time, it was definitely a learning curve.
“Deep down, I do feel we were able to walk away feeling that we can compete with these teams — if we keep 11 players on the pitch.
“We play at Celtic Park week in, week out and we know what that pressure’s like.
“We know what it’s like playing in front of 60,000 who are desperate and they are moaning whenever you pass the ball backwards.
“It wasn’t like walking into that stadium against Feyenoord we found it overwhelming, which I think can really help us on this stage.
“Instead, I think it’s more down to the fact that these teams are experienced, they don’t feel rushed and they keep playing to their principles, while other teams, potentially, when they come up against Celtic, sometimes they respect us a little too much.
“So, once again, experience does make a difference when it comes down to some of the decisions on the pitch.
“Of course, with both red cards, that’s another learning curve for us.”
Johnston is confident Celtic now hosting Lazio and Atletico Madrid plays into their hands and gives them the perfect opportunity to wipe out the misery in the Netherlands.
He said: “Yes, I think you can see again what an advantage playing at home is.
“That crowd was amazing from the moment we stepped out for the warm-ups.
“I’ve only been told, I haven’t seen it yet, what Celtic Park is like on the big Euro nights.
“It can be intimidating for teams coming to that place. It’s going to be emotional.
“You’re not just playing against 11 — you’re playing against 60,000 as well.
“So we’ve got to use that energy with us to really kind of buoy us to that next level of performance.
“At the same time, I do think when we had 11 men on the pitch that we probably had the better chances.
“It wasn’t the Celtic you’re used to, with free-flowing football and creating chances every couple of minutes.
“But it still felt like it was one of those ones where you want to be in Europe, on the road.
“You want to be in these matches where you’re striking distance away, one half-chance away from nicking something.
“Now we’re excited to play at home, for sure.
“We had a really difficult spell a couple of weeks back when it just felt like centre-halves were dropping like flies.
“But we’re starting to get those guys back now and it’s giving us confidence.
“At the same time, Liam Scales has been unbelievable coming into this role.
“A lot of people probably felt they’d never see him in a Celtic kit again, but arguably he’s been our best player these past couple of matches.
“Of course, we have guys like Cameron Carter-Vickers coming back and the big names who have been mainstays in this team the past couple of years and also in our Treble campaign.
“That is something that definitely gives us confidence, especially going into the rest of these games.”
Scales’ re-emergence in the Hoops has certainly won him a fan in Johnston.
He added: “I’ve been really impressed with his composure on the ball. He’s been better on the ball than I could have imagined.
“Again, he is one of those guys who hasn’t shied away from the moment.
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“He throws his body about, gets in there and loves a tackle.
“He’s one of those guys who plays for the badge and you never knock that.”
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