THIS time last year, Alistair Johnston was playing for CF Montreal in the MLS and looking forward to featuring for Canada in the winter World Cup Finals in Qatar.
Today, the adventurous right-back celebrates his 25th birthday as a Celtic player after winning three domestic honours in his first five months at Parkhead.
It has been a whirlwind rise to fame for the defender who was pitched in at the deep end for his debut at Ibrox on January 2 this year. Ex-boss Ange Postecoglou, who sanctioned the £3.5million move for the Vancouver-born star, put him into his starting line-up with Josip Juranovic on the substitutes’ bench.
FANS’ FAVOURITE…birthday Bhoy Alistair Johnston has the backing of the Celtic support.
Daizen Maeda gave the visitors an early lead before the hosts fought back to lead 2-1. It looked as though the champions were heading for a loss in the first outing of the new year until Kyogo Furuhashi fired in a late equaliser.
A month later, Johnston won his first medal in the 2-1 League Cup Final victory over Michael Beale’s team at Hampden.
He played a key role as Postecoglou’s side claimed their eleventh flag in 12 years and he also starred in the 3-1 Scottish Cup Final success over Inverness Caley Thistle at the national stadium on June 3.
Johnston is still waiting for his first goal of the new campaign after notching his initial strike in a 5-1 triumph over St Mirren in Paisley in March.
All at CQN and Celtic fans worldwide wish Alistair Johnston a Happy 25th Birthday!
THREE CHEERS AS REO LEADS THE WAY
