Alistair Johnston tells Celtic he’s ready to take game to another level with pre season providing ideal opportunity

Alistair Johnston knew he had massive boots to fill when he arrived at Celtic to replace Josip Juranovic. But after helping himself to a Treble in just 20 games in the Hoops the right-back admits the move to Glasgow has been the perfect fit for his career.

When Johnston was thrust into the fire of an Old Firm debut at Ibrox just a day after officially becoming a Celtic player then the size of the task could hardly have been more daunting. Throw in Ange Postecoglou’s demanding inverted full-back system which was completely alien to the Canada international and he could have been forgiven for turning and running for the Rockies. Not for a minute did Johnston shrink at the prospect of the challenge though. Indeed he’s taken his £3m switch from CF Montreal in January with ease. The fact Juranovic’s name is barely heard in Celtic circles any more after his £7.5m move to Bundesliga side Union Berlin is testament to the job Johnston has done in just six months.

Don’t think he’s happy to rest on his laurels though. The 24-year-old insists he’s only just getting started. And he’s ready to take his game to another level after a well-earned break that finally brought to an end an 18-month footballing marathon that began in the MLS in January 2022 and only ended last week as Canada lost the Nations League final to the USA ironically in Paradise, Nevada.

Reflecting on his whirlwind start to life at Celtic Park, Johnston said: “It’s been a great fit for me. No matter who was coming in, and Tony Ralston’s done a great job at full-back, I like how I’ve played so far. But there’s another level to come with my game.

“Josip, when you look at what he’s doing at Union Berlin, he’s been unbelievable. He was a special player for Celtic. To even earn a move like that says it all about him.

“Look, I think there’s still levels to my game I haven’t shown yet and that’s kind of exciting for me. I’m still understanding the system. The manager told me the first six months would be difficult, a new system and a completely different way to play the position.

“But he felt once I got a pre-season under my belt I would be feeling a lot more comfortable. And I am feeling that.”

Johnston was granted early leave from international duty this month to fully recover from an ankle knock sustained in the Scottish Cup semi final victory over Rangers.

He had patched himself up to help the Hoops secure a world record eighth domestic Treble at Hampden earlier this month before playing twice more for Canada in the Nations League. Now it’s about rest and recuperation before attention turns back to Celtic.