Alistair Johnston isn’t getting complacent about Celtic’s title charge and remains wary of Rangers’ threat.
The right-back came off 70 minutes into Sunday’s enthralling Premier Sports Cup final.
Soccer Football – Scottish League Cup – Final – Celtic v Rangers – Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – December 15, 2024 Celtic’s Alistair Johnston REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
It was a topsy-turvy Glasgow derby, which could easily have gone either way. The Hoops emerged victorious on penalties following a 3-3 draw after two arduous hours of fast-paced action.
Post-match, Johnston admitted that if Sunday was a regular domestic game, he likely wouldn’t have played due to injury. Given its significance, however, the Canadian urged Celtic’s medical team to ensure he was fit.
He also hailed his side’s ‘underlying confidence’ and was inevitably asked about the title race.
Celtic currently sit nine points clear of second-place Aberdeen with a game in hand and 11 ahead of city rivals Rangers, who occupy third. Despite the significant gap, Johnston remains wary: “The league is still early,” he said (Glasgow Times).
“We’re in December, and there’s a long way to go. I think last year was a perfect example of that. We had a pretty solid lead then we threw it away and managed to claw it back at the very end.
“There’s going to be twists and turns. We can only really focus on ourselves.”
While Johnston has urged his teammates to look at themselves, he expects Rangers to improve their league results.
Philippe Clement’s side have consistently dropped points all season but will only get better, in the eyes of the Celtic right-back: “We’re expecting [Rangers] to kick on as well,” he said.
“Over the past couple of weeks they have done, but we know if we play our best football it’s really all about us at the end of the day.”
If Celtic maintain their current level of consistent results throughout the second half of the season we all know where the Premiership trophy will end up come May.
There remains a marathon still to run, but the Bhoys are in a hugely prosperous position.
