Alistair Johnston

Can’t believe after his copa America form and his stats for us this season he hasn’t been looked at by teams down south or in Germany

 

I think we'll struggle to hold on to him, he has everything..

Hopefully we're scouting his replacement now.

 

Took responsibility for his error, while others may have blamed teammates.

 

He has been superb this season and clearly is very much one of the dressing room leaders for us now. Would love it if he stayed long term for us. It will come down to what motivates him the most career wise whether he stays or leaves IMHO.

 

Anthony ralston

 

2 ex hun refs in the paper doing a trash piece on AJ. No need for it.

 

I would be very surprised if there isn’t teams keeping tabs on him. For some reason I have always pictured him moving to the likes of a Fulham who play a 3-4-3 so he could be an option either at right wing back or right centre back. West Ham would be another one.

Either that or a Wolfsburg or Stuttgart Bundesliga level club. Possibly one of the sort of Lille or the likes in Ligue 1.

 

No much mention of him at their equaliser but I do think he has a tendency to back off a bit too much..

Quality player and no solely his fault but I thing I have noticed..

 

Needs a boot up the *, he has let his very high standards slip lately.

 

Just shows you how good he has been for us. As this is the type of hatchet job they try on our best and most in form players.

 

Alistair Johnston says Celtic’s clash with Young Boys will be like their Champions League Final – as they attempt to reach the knockout phase.

The Hoops full-back is gearing up for one of the club’s biggest European games when the Swiss arrive in Glasgow on Wednesday night. A victory for Brendan Rodgers’ side will all but secure their place in the play-offs – and keep up their hopes of finishing in the top eight. With Aston Villa away in their final group game, Johnston wants a victory over Young Boys in midweek.

The Canadian is aware of how important qualification could be for Rodgers’ men. And he’s convinced they can get the job done with the backing of Celtic’s fanatical home support. After the 2-1 Scottish Cup fourth-round win over Kilmarnock, Johnston said: “It’s massive. We know where we are in the table and how important the points could be. At the end of the day, this is the one you look at.


It could be like a cup final for us if you get the points you need because you will probably secure a knockout round place. And you don’t really want to be going to Villa away needing something

“Villa are comfortable but they’ll still want as many points as possible to be high up the table. We know Villa won’t be easy at all so it’s important that we make it count on Wednesday.

“It’s a massive chance and I’m looking forward to it. The atmosphere is going to be unbelievable – Celtic Park under the lights and with a lot on the line.


Celtic eventually saw off Killie in the Cup thanks to goals from Callum McGregor and Daizen Maeda after Bobby Wales had levelled for the visitors. But it was German winger Nicolas Kuhn who lit up Parkhead near the end with a fantastic assist for the Japanese winger to bag the winner.



Johnston hailed Kuhn, who is now back to full fitness after injury, and says he gives Celts a spark which will be needed in midweek. The right-back said: “It’s great to have Nic back. We’ve missed him in the past couple of games.

“He provides something for us – the spark, that moment of magic. He can beat his man on the inside or the outside.

“As a full-back, that’s a nightmare to defend against – when a guy’s just so comfortable going either way. He’s been doing it all year for us. So that wasn’t a surprise now that he’s back up to speed.


He’s mad he didn’t have another goal or an assist in the game today. But it’s good to have him back and firing because we’re going to need him in this Champions League match coming up


Johnston is desperate for Celtic to hit the 12-point mark against Young Boys to cement that Champions League play-off berth. The defender said: “We’ve got to find a way to get a result there.

“We’ve put ourselves in a great position. We’ve picked up a points’ total that I think everyone can look back on as a pretty solid tally.


We’re at the end of January with something to play for. That’s something that we always wanted to be involved in.

“With two matches left we can clinch a spot in the knockout rounds. And what a special moment that would be. It’s where we want to be

“It’s where we’ve been pushing over these past couple of years to get to. We have to take it by the scruff of the neck. That’s a challenge. It’s not going to be easy but it’s something that I think we’re all excited for.

 

Surprised this hasn’t been bumped. Love AJ but he can get really sloppy when the pressure is on. Thought he was brutal in 2nd half, put us on the backfoot on a few occasions. Just unnecessary for a player of his quality.

 

Was really telegraphing his passing in the 2nd half even with time on the ball.

 

He was awful, as said above it was like he telegraphed every pass to the opposition.

 

Aye second half he was really taking the * with his distribution..

 

I honestly think he's been poor since he signed his new deal. Not saying that's related but I've noticed his performances dropping massively since around that time.

Needs to find form again.

 

His use of the ball was * horrendous tonight and he wasn’t as solid as normal either. Was an off night but it happens, sure he’ll be back to his usual soon enough.