Alistair Johnston tells Canadian audience how great Celtic are with ‘one of the most famous’ claims

On By Littum

Alistair Johnston is not only a key player for Celtic, but one of the most popular players with the supporters.

As mentioned many times before, the Ange Postecoglou era at Celtic was one of joy and so much success.

From the all-action style of play, the trophies galore and also the club’s recruitment which is still proving its worth today under Brendan Rodgers.

Johnston was one of the players signed under Postecoglou and he has become a regular starter at right back.

The 26-year-old moved to Glasgow from MLS side CF Montreal in 2022 and had not won a single trophy in his career before joining Parkhead.

But fast forward to the present day and Johnston has five trophies to his name in Celtic colours, including winning the double following Rodgers’ return last season.

This season Celtic have gone one better and are unbeaten in the Premier League, top of the table and going strong in the Champions League.

It didn’t take Johnston too long to appreciate the sheer size of Celtic and he expanded the club while on national duty.

Alistair Johnston speaks up on the stature of Celtic worldwide

You’d better come last if you don’t finish first at Celtic. It’s that simple, even if you had won all sorts of trophies the previous season.

That’s why Celtic is the biggest club in Scotland and a heavyweight in Europe.

Johnston told Canadian broadcaster OneSoccer that there are ‘high expectations’ for the club and that they are a ‘massive brand’ around the world, as well as how they are ‘one of the most famous’.

Alistair Johnston of Celtic celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic FC and Dundee FC at C...
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

“We have high expectations at Celtic, you know as well as anyone, it’s a massive brand, it’s a worldwide brand,” Johnston said.

“To be able to do that on the European stage, especially with the last couple of results we’ve had, we’ve put ourselves in a really good position with this new Champions League format.”

Johnston on wearing the Celtic armband

When Callum McGregor was sidelined for Celtic’s win at Motherwell in October, Johnston was handed the armband and celebrated in the best possible way.

Previously he had just four goals in the green and white, then went on to score at Fir Park and the following week against Dundee.

There isn’t a better character in the Celtic dressing room who deserved to wear that armband and Johnston proved with his words how much he understands it.

One thing is for sure, the way he talks, he will lead Celtic much further in the future.

“I’ve been lucky enough to wear the armband now,” Johnston shared. “I think it was one of those where it wasn’t lost on me how big of an opportunity it was and what an honor it is.

“This is one of the most famous football clubs and historic football clubs in the world. I can’t imagine there are a ton of captains who have come from anywhere other than Scotland and Ireland.

“So to think that a Canadian-born fullback is wearing the armband, even if it was for a one-off game, it was a pretty special experience. It made my family proud. Made a lot of people proud back home and it’s something I totally sure will appreciate.”

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