Sam Johnstone made a strong first impression on his Celtic debut as the Hoops beat St Johnstone 1-0 at McDiarmid Park, although there was a brief concern late in the game when the goalkeeper went down needing treatment.
Martin O’Neill handed the 33-year-old his first Celtic start in Perth, with Viljami Sinisalo dropping to the bench.
The effort looked dangerous from close range, but Johnstone reacted quickly and palmed it over.
He was called into action again early in the second half, saving from Taylor Steven before Celtic eventually took the lead through Mika Baur.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Johnstone said: “I’m really happy to make my debut. A clean sheet and a win, not loads to do. The three points is the most important thing.”
On his first-half save, he added: “In my eyes, it’s what I’m there to do and try my best to keep the ball out of the net.
“Thankfully today, I made that save, kept us in it and we win 1-0.”
There was a moment of worry late on when Johnstone went down and required treatment.
Johnstone quickly played that concern down.
“Yeah, I had a little bit of cramp,” he said.
“Listen, I hadn’t played for a while and all the adrenaline and the emotions of, you know, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster week.
“New lads, new team, amazing fans, it all builds up and, yeah, a little bit of cramp when I pushed off there.”
That explanation will ease fears ahead of the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final.
Johnstone also made it clear he is not at Celtic simply to sit behind Sinisalo.
He said: “We’re all here as goalkeepers to give the manager a headache and win games.”
After a clean sheet and one crucial stop on debut, O’Neill now has a genuine decision to make before Sunday.
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