ALISTAIR JOHNSTON has revealed all about his surprises quickfire Celtic debut at Ibrox on January 2 2023.
The Canadian World Cup right-back had a pre-contract arrangement with the Parkhead side, but was not officially registered as a Hoops player until 24 hours before the derby encounter.
Johnston was pitched straight into the top side and hit the ground running in a 2-2 draw with Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi netting for the visitors.
The energetic defender arrived in a £3.5million deal from MLS outfit CF Montreal at the same time regular No.2 Josip Juranovic had been linked with a move from the champions.
SHOVE OFF…Alistair Johnston and Borna Barisic challenge for the ball in a derby tussle.
Johnston, back in his homeland on international business, said: “He told the Footy Prime podcast: “I didn’t think I was going to play. I hadn’t been training with the starting eleven the entire week, but the other full-back was kind of on the move.
“They brought me in with the thought that he was going to be sold at some point in that January window. We trained, it was matchday minus one, and the gaffer, Ange Postecoglou, called me up to his office.
“I go up there and he goes: ‘Look, mate, you’re going to start, I’m going to put you at right-back. Are you ready for this? You just came off the World Cup, you’ll be like a duck to water’.
“I said: ‘Alright, perfect.’
“I was thinking that the other right-back had come in and said he couldn’t play, he wasn’t fit or whatever. “
FANS’ FAVOURITE…Alistair Johnston has the backing of the Celtic support.
Johnston, speaking to the Footy Prime podcast, continued: “I go to the hotel, I’m a little jittery, this is my first match, Ibrox away, league title in the balance, the big one.
“We get into the dressing room, he announces the lineup and no-one knew that I was starting.
“Even the right-back didn’t know – he thought he was starting!
“I was like: ‘Oh, man, I’ve got to have a good game now, this is a little bit of tension’.
“Walking in there, you are absolutely behind enemy lines. It was unbelievable, the place was rocking.
“We went a goal up early and I remember feeling like this is a proper match.”
Maeda scored early in the confrontation, but the hosts replied with strikes from Ryan Kent and James Tavernier (pen) to take the lead.
CUP THAT CHEERS…Alistair Johnston watches as Jack Butland scrambles an effort round the post, but it was the Celt who was smiling at the end of the 1-0 Scottish Cup Final win on May 25.
It was left to Kyogo to snap up a whiplash equaliser a couple of minutes from time to earn a point and keep the Hoops on course for a second successive title.
Johnston went on to win the treble in his impressive first campaign while Croatian international Juranovic, who came on as a substitute for the injured Greg Taylor in Govan, moved to Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin in a £10million switch before the window closed.
The Vancouver-born full-back enjoyed more success over the Ibrox club in the Scottish Cup Final success last term as the Parkhead men completed a league and Cup double.
And Johnston was smiling again on Sunday as he played his role in the 3-0 triumph over Philippe Clement’s side as Brendan Rodgers’ side got off to a winning start in the all-Glasgow duels.
