Alistair Johnston opens up on Celtic’s last-gasp Lazio agony and admits ‘we should be on another level altogether’
ALISTAIR JOHNSTON reckons Celtic have won plenty of respect in Europe this term.
But the Hoops defender would prefer to be winning points.
Not for the first time, the Premiership champs have found dining at the top table can be an unforgiving environment.
In Rotterdam a fortnight ago, they were more than holding their own before two second-half red cards handed victory on a plate to Feyenoord.
Against Lazio on Wednesday night, at 1-0 up the game was again there for the taking.
However, an agonising 95th-minute Pedro winner against the run of play meant a brave display counted for nothing.
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Johnston admits it was gut-wrenching to come away empty-handed, although he is adamant Celts — who now face a crucial home-and-away double-header with Atletico Madrid — do belong in the Champions League.
The Canadian ace said: “When we keep 11 men on the pitch, we look quite good.
“We’ve gained quite a bit of respect, but we don’t just want respect. We want points on the board. So it’s about finding that ruthlessness in both areas.
“Conceding a set-piece goal is frustrating. And then conceding a goal like that in the 95th minute is really frustrating.
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“We felt like we were in the ascendancy, and potentially could have had a winner that was chopped off.
“But we need to learn from that and build on it.”
Asked if Celts were naive against the Italians, Johnston added: “It could be harsh, but at the same time it’s not far off.
“It’s about finding that balance when you have this crowd, who are such an instrumental part of how we play and who can be such a weapon. How do we use that to our advantage?
“Sometimes you need to balance it. We’re in the ascendancy, can we find a winner?
“But at the same time that doesn’t mean going forward at all costs and conceding one at the back.
“The Champions League is all about those moments.
“There’s too much quality on the pitch, so when you have a moment where you make a mental error, these teams are so good that they will punish you.
“Again, that’s another stepping stone for us. We’ll only be better from that experience.
“At the moment, though, this is a group that is frustrated.
“We feel that we should be at another level altogether, and not losing matches like that.
“It’s one that we’re going to learn from.”
A rare mistake from Cameron Carter-Vickers — back after seven weeks out with a hamstring injury — led to Lazio scoring with virtually the last kick. It was a blunder Johnston feels the Hoops would have got away with domestically.
However, the right-back still believes having that fearlessness against top opposition is a positive.
Johnston said: “It’s exactly that. Teams are ruthless and clinical.
“If you give up a half-chance, which potentially you might get away with in the Premiership, then you won’t get away with it here.
“That’s something we just need to be smart with. There were a couple of mistakes made, but it’s football, mistakes are going to happen.
“The gaffer has been very clear that we need to play bravely.
“If you’re going to come out here with that mentality where you’re worried about making a mistake, then you’re going to get punished for it.
“If you’re going to play too timidly, then you’re going to let the other team dictate the ball. And no matter who you are playing, home or away, you’re going to get dominated.
“He’s been very clear that we’ve got to go toe-to-toe with these teams, be brave and show what we’re all about. But it was a great cross from Matteo Guendouzi and a great header from Pedro.
“It’s just good football and sometimes you just have to accept that.
“Lazio are also a very good team. They buried their chances and we didn’t.
“So we can’t really hold up our hands and say we deserved more.
“Lazio are the team that scored more than us and that’s the brutal honesty about football.
“I do feel there were really good spells for us, especially in the second half when we looked really comfortable in the game.
“That’s something we can take and grow as a team.
“But we also need to find a way to win that game.”
Johnston has struck up an excellent understanding with Daizen Maeda since joining the champions last season.
He admits he loves playing behind the Japanese winger. He revealed:
“Playing with Daizen in front of me is so good.
“As the gaffer said before, he counts for two players with how much running he does.
“Daizen’s just rapid and is constantly a threat. He’s so effective.
“He’s quite a special player to have in front of you. As a full-back, he makes your life much easier.”
Despite the heartbreaking end to the Hoops’ first home encounter in Group E, Johnston still savoured the high-octane occasion.
He added: “It was a great experience, and as a team, we were not overwhelmed by it.
“It’s something you can knock off the bucket list, you can never take that away from me.
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“It was a pretty special night.
“But it’s one of those ones that just ends on a sour note when you drop points like that at the end.”
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