ALISTAIR JOHNSTON is bidding for his EIGHTH winners’ medal in only two and a half years when he lines up against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden on Saturday.
It’s a phenomenal sequence of success for the Canadian international right-back who was signed by ex-boss Ange Postecoglou from MLS outfit CF Montreal in a £3.75million deal in January 2023.
Johnston was pitched into a derby confrontation at Ibrox for his debut and fitted in well in a 2-2 draw.
Ten games later, he picked up his first honour when the Hoops beat the same opposition at Hampden in the League Cup Final where Kyogo Furuhashi netted a double in a 2-1 victory.
ROARING SUCCESS…Alistair Johnston and James Forrest celebrate a Celtic goal.
The 26-year-old defender celebrated a treble in his first five months at Parkhead and he kept the run going last season with a league and Cup double in Brendan Rodgers’ comeback campaign.
Johnston has continued on the glory trail this time out with successes in the Premier Sports League Cup and the team’s fourth successive title – and now eyes gong No.8 against the Dons.
However, the popular Vancouver-born performer is a distant second in the Haul of Fame behind evergreen James Forrest who will be hoping to get his hands on his TWENTY-SEVENTH medal against the Pittodrie club.
The 33-year-old winger continued his personal star trek when he rifled in the stoppage-time equaliser in the 1-1 stalemate with St Mirren on Trophy Day at the weekend.
No one could begrudge the veteran Celt’s joyous celebrations with the fans after claiming the strike that continued his 16-year goalscoring run at his boyhood heroes.
Johnston admitted he had never witnessed a celebration like it.
NUMBER ONE – AND COUNTING…Alistair Johnston enjoys the taste of success as he celebrates his first Celtic medal after the 2-1 League Cup Final triumph over Rangers at Hampden in February 2023.
The international ace said: “It’s a fairytale for James. Grown men were nearly in tears and that sums up how much James means to this club. I am really happy for him.
“It’s a bummer that we only drew, but to keep that streak going for 16 seasons is unbelievable.
“Sixteen seasons? Oh my gosh!
“It shows how much he has taken care of himself for over a decade.
“James is a shy guy, but we got him out there and got him talking and lifting the trophy.
“James kissing the badge and running into the corner was genius. It’s a moment nobody will forget anytime soon.”
Johnston, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “It was a moment in Celtic history and I have heard so much about how the fans were wanting him to get that goal and continue the record.
CROWNING GLORY…Callum McGregor and James Forrest lead the title celebrations in Paradise.
“The stats are unbelievable and it’s going to tough to catch him – unless Callum McGregor tries to!
“I have never seen an equaliser celebrated like that in my life. It’s amazing for him and the club. He just continues to make history and break records.
”You would not bet against him doing something similar at Hampden.
“We played Aberdeen in the semi-final there last season and he was unbelievable when he came on.
“James is not here as a token player, just because of the status he has.
“He still provides something to this team and gives us such a different profile on the wing.
“We have a lot of young players in that position who are direct, but maybe lack consistency, which is what happens at that age at a big club.
“But James shows them how to last at a place like Celtic.
“It’s about consistency and he takes the ball, protects it and makes the right decisions every time.
AHOY THERE…Alistair Johnston looks ahead after last season’s 1-0 Scottish Cup Final win over Philippe Clement’s Ibrox side at Hampden on the iconic date of May 25.
“It is really impressive to see him and that is why the gaffer trusts him to come in on big occasions, when things are maybe not going our way.
“You think back towards the end of last season when that was the case.
“James was probably the first name on the teamsheet at that point.
“He still has a lot to offer and hopefully he will go for 17 in a row next season.”
Johnston added: “I’ve been lucky to come into a dressing room with this winning DNA. It’s ingrained in the club.
“I’ve got seven now, going for number eight. I’ve been lucky to be part of a special group and play a small part.
“I’ve got a bit to go to catch those guys – James has so many he can’t even count them with his fingers and toes!”
