WHY I’VE STRUGGLED, ‘ JOHANSEN

The Hoops midfielder is facing a fitness fight to be ready for Norway’s Euro 2016 qualifier with Malta tomorrow.

Johansen has struggled since the start of the season and Ronny Deila has left him out of his starting line-up on a few occasion.

He didn’t even get a place on the subs’ bench last Sunday in the 2-1 win over Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park.

But the player has revealed that it has all stemmed from an injury that he has found difficult to overcome.

He said: “My back has been causing me problems for a few months now and that has led to other injuries in parts of my body.

“It has also affected my hamstring and the front of my thigh.

“We thought we had got to the root of what was causing the injuries, but then I got another knock against Fenerbahce and that set me back again.

“After the games, I was in a lot of pain. It is very frustrating because I have never suffered from any real injuries before.

“It’s been better in the last few days. When I get rid of the back pain, then I think all the other problems should stop, too.

“I have had a good chat with Ronny Deila about my problems.

“Sometimes my thigh hasn’t felt right and I have to take time to recover, which means I am not right for the next game.

“It’s been tedious because I can never get into a rhythm when you play every week.”