Alistair Johnston roars Celtic don't fear Atletico Madrid as Champions League history lesson has stars aligned
The Canadian defender won't be overawed by the Champions League and World Cup winners in front of him.
Alistair Johnston reckons the stars could align for Celtic in the Champions League, but that the Hoops do NOT fear Atletico Madrid.
They went toe-to-toe with the La Liga giants on home turf last month when an exciting 2-2 draw ultimately earned the Hoops a solitary point in Group E of Europe's elite competition. Johnston admitted upon arrival in the winter last year that part of his motivation would be to play in the biggest stadiums and against top opposition. The Canadian defender will get the chance again to test his will against the trickster Antoine Griezmann and menacing forward Alvaro Morata, who netted in Glasgow.
But the smiling 25-year-old knows that despite seeing trophies and medals galore in front of him on the dauntingly-big Metropolitano pitch, Celtic have shown they are more than the sum of their parts in the group. He was also taught an interesting history lesson on the Hoops in the Champions League and reckons there's a hint of magic in the air.
He told Celtic TV: "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. 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."
Upon being asked if the stars are aligned after the 7th November previously marked a famous win against Barcelona in 2012, and a victory against current group opponents Lazio in the Europa League in 2019, he said: "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."