Yesterday, someone told me to watch Alistair Johnston’s recent YouTube interview, so I did, and it was tremendous.
You can watch it yourself right here.
The Canadian international spoke for 20 minutes, much of it about Celtic.
What came across so clearly was just how fortunate we are to have such a talented young guy at the club, someone passionate not only about Celtic but about football in general. The more I watched, the more I came to believe that we’ve landed ourselves one hell of a young talent.
During the interview, Johnston shared the story of how Ange Postecoglou selected him to make his debut at Ibrox, entrusting him to go into that cauldron, that atmosphere, and thrive. What made it even more astonishing was that Johnston said Ange didn’t tell the rest of the team he was playing, so when the team sheet was read out, it came as a huge surprise to a lot of people, Josip Juranovic in particular, who had probably expected to play that day.
But Johnston handled it tremendously well, not just in terms of his performance on the pitch, but in his mentality – there wasn’t a single trace of fear or doubt in his own ability. You can see that in the highlights of the match; he was excellent that day.
You would never have believed this was a guy thrown into the deepest of deep ends. He flourished in the atmosphere. He is exactly the type of person you want at the club. He’s the exact antithesis of what they have across the city.
For a start, he enjoys being in the thick of battle. The tougher the challenge, the more he relishes it. He talked about how he likes a bit of rough and tumble in the game and how he enjoyed playing hockey because it allows you to get away with certain behaviours. Football is clearly a much more disciplined sport, but Johnston has that ruthlessness, that necessary edge. It’s very controlled, but it’s there if he needs it.
I’m always impressed when a footballer talks about himself as being an athlete, and Johnston did that during the interview. These are the guys who take this business the most seriously, and he comes across as a very serious guy.
He talked about how, upon arriving at Celtic, meeting the coaches, and doing his first training session, he realised, “I can go all the way here. I can really test myself and see how far I can get in this business.” And although that ultimately means he might one day want to try a different club or a different league, we’ll be the beneficiaries of that decision, as we’ll make another eight-figure sum on this guy because he is that good.
It’s a fact that Victor Wanyama was one of the people who inspired Johnston to make the move. Wanyama, who obviously knows him well, spoke to him at length about Celtic, the club, and its culture. What I found fascinating was that Wanyama clearly recognised in Johnston a kindred spirit – a guy with the mental fortitude, the right level of aggression, and the will to succeed, but with his feet firmly on the ground.
Every one of the attributes that makes Johnston a great player – not just technically, but mentally – is exactly what our rivals are missing.
There is no question that Johnston is head and shoulders above James Tavernier, something that only now seems to be dawning on members of the Scottish press. And yet, these are supposed industry pros who have been watching football for years.
I mean, it took just ten minutes of his debut at Ibrox to see he’s better than Tavernier.
All through the end of last season, when people were picking their “Glasgow XI” and putting Tavernier in front of him, it was ludicrous. Now, looking back, it’s just embarrassing when it’s so obvious who the better player is.
Everything Johnston said in that interview impressed me – from how he handles pressure to his desire to win. What stood out was his class and self-belief. The idea that Johnston would ever wilt under the spotlight because the team was having a bad day, or because we conceded an early goal, is crazy – you just can’t imagine it after watching him speak.
Success in any field requires a certain mentality.
It requires a strong personality, tremendous self-belief, discipline, and commitment. Johnston has shown all that. I’ve been critical of the signings made between Ange Postecoglou’s second transfer window – the January window – and the one we just came out of, but it’s always been clear that Johnston is the diamond in the rough.
He has been the best of the signings by far.
Whoever spotted him and recommended him was absolutely bang on. And I have no doubt that Ange looked him in the eye, had a long conversation with him before the deal was done, and knew immediately what talent we had, proven by handing him that debut on that day.
Credit goes to everyone at Celtic for making that deal happen, for bringing this kid to the club. It must have been obvious to all of them when they spoke to Alistair that he was a perfect fit for Celtic and that he would quickly become one of the stars of the side. He ticks every single box – not as some development player or some raw talent we can polish and make better. No, he fits a different profile entirely: a winner, a player with heart and desire.
He summed it up best in a moment during the interview when he talked about coming off the pitch that day at Ibrox and made a vow: “Nothing will get me out of this Celtic team.” As he put it, “I’ll play through injuries, I’ll play through whatever, but I’m keeping this jersey.”
That’s all you want from a footballer – that heart, that will, that determination.
It’s for that reason, as much as any other, that he’s become such an integral part of the squad. This whole squad is like that. Everyone who plays at this club wants to fight for their place in the team, and once in the team, they want to push themselves and the club as far as they can.
They all get it. When Rodgers talks about wanting to know that every player who comes through the door has what it takes, he’s not just talking about skill on the pitch – he’s talking about all the other qualities that Johnston exemplifies.
He’s a special talent and a special individual, and I hope we are watching this guy at this club for the next half-dozen years.
Yes indeed – A very good football player for Celtic FC amongst many others as well…
As someone who is old enough to have seen the other side (six years without a trophy) what a time it is to be alive as a Hoops supporter for sure !!!
Totally agree. Liked him from the very start. I think he loves it here. Hope he’s here for many more years. ????????
Johnston, first and foremost is a tremendous footballer, and a great servant to our club. Last season, he came through a questionable period for him, and the team’s form, and finished the season so strongly, when it mattered.
Leading to his wonderful showing in the Copa America for his country, in which he was named part of the team of the tournament!
He defied the variety of critics, including a fair number in our support then, that maybe thought he was just an average player!
He certainly is NOT an average player and has grown into one of our most valuable assets, both on and off the park. A very articulate and intelligent young man, who is very insightful, when interviewed!
One of my Celtic heroes is Danny McGrain, who was unquestionably, world class. A player that could play both full back positions, tremendously well, and who overcame so many health and injury issues.
I am not saying that AJ is in the same class as McGrain, but there are, even this early in his Celtic career, comparisons to be made.
Both are solid defensively, smooth going forward, and tough as old boots.
His grounding in ice hockey, ensures that he will never be second best on a football field.
A pleasure to have him, and as you say, let’s hope this continues for many more seasons !!! HH