Celtic defender Alistair Johnston has opened up about his performances this season, offering an honest assessment of his form at the Hoops.
A Season of Progress
Speaking to OneSoccer, Johnston expressed his pride in how he has developed at Celtic, particularly with the experience of playing in the UEFA Champions League. “It has been a great season for me, I don’t think there is any doubt about that, in terms of the number of matches I’ve played, some of the matches that I have played at the very highest level against Bayern Munich – seeing my team match up with them, it does bring a lot of pride to myself and my family back home, realising that I do belong on that field with them.”
The full-back has been a regular starter at right back in Brendan Rodgers’ side, proving his reliability both defensively and in attack. His performances in big games, particularly in Europe, have highlighted his own belief that he can compete at the top level.
Navigating the Difficult Moments
Despite a strong season, Johnston is honest about the difficulties Celtic have faced since the new year. “It hasn’t been as easy as the start of the season. We are going through that patch and it’s the same with the national team.” The Hoops have struggled to find the same level of consistency in recent months, with some frustrating results domestically and in Europe.
Johnston, however, is taking it in his stride. “Just try and keep it steady – it’s not as good as you think and it’s not as bad as you think.” The defender’s maturity and level-headed mindset is clear to see, as he refuses to get carried away with the highs or discouraged by the lows.
A Year to Be Proud Of
Looking at the bigger picture, Johnston remains optimistic about his own progress. “So when I sit back and get a break, and kind of look back on the year, I do think it will be my most successful calendar year of professional football and I am pretty proud of that.”
The Canadian has been an integral part of Celtic’s success this season, and while results have been mixed recently, his role in big wins has not gone unnoticed. As the season heads into the business, Johnston will be hoping to help the Hoops rediscover their early-season form and finish strongly in the hunt for a domestic treble.
