ALISTAIR JOHNSTON is laser-focused in making certain Celtic get off to a winning start when the Premiership kicks off at Parkhead on Sunday.
St Mirren, who earned a 1-1 draw at the venue in the last league game of the previous campaign, will again provide the opposition on what is becoming an annual event, Flag Day in the east end of Glasgow.
Brendan Rodgers’ side will be celebrating their fourth successive title triumph in a phenomenal sequence of thirteen championships in 14 years as they also eye a record FIFTY-SIXTH crown in their glorious history.
Johnston has played his part in lifting consecutive honours since his £3.75million arrival from MLS club CF Montreal in January 2022 and he is eager to get cracking on another assault on the nation’s top prize.
I SAY, I SAY, I SAY…Alistair Johnston looks ahead. Image courtesy Celtic TV.
The 25-year-old Canadian international defender said: “Everything matters now. The three points count now as much as they do at the end of the season.
“When we look back at last term, we had a good a start and that made a difference come the end of the programme.
“If you do your work early, you can take a lot of pressure off, especially when the season gets really busy in the winter.
“We know how important it is to come out of the blocks strong – and this year we have Champions League qualifiers, as well, so it’s a big month for us from the get-go.
“That’s a challenge to which we’re looking forward. We have the group to do it, so now it’s about going out there and putting in the performances.”
Preparing for another special occasion in front of a vibrant and packed Paradise, Johnston, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “It’s amazing, getting to unfurl the flag, raising that up and reminding ourselves of how much hard work we put in that previous year and to see that reward again.
THUMBS UP…Alistair Johnston is confident as he prepares for the new season.
“It’s also motivation from day one because we want to do that again and, for the new guys, it’s an understanding of what the minimum requirements are at this club.
“You’re expected to win trophies and that’s what it’s all about.”
The all-action right-back added: “Seeing the crowd, seeing the enjoyment and passion that they get from Flag Day will be a good kick-start to the new guys’ time at Celtic.
“It’ll be a great weekend – it always is – but the most important thing for us is to go out there and give a performance to match the whole event.”
