The Hoops right-back has been discussing the Glasgow goldfish bowl and all that comes with it
In addition to discussing the pressures of representing just one Old Firm team, Alistair Johnston responded sarcastically to a notion that the Rangers were approaching.
The Canadian right-back has been playing for Celtic for more than a year. He participated in the team’s successful championship run the previous season and is currently leading the team in a close race this one. He has participated in multiple derbies, so he will be familiar with the well-known rivalry and the struggle for dominance in Glasgow.
The 25-year-old, who is currently on international duty, has been questioned about life at Celtic Park and, in particular, what it’s like to be in the middle of the intense tug-of-war between the two teams. He acknowledges that this experience is unlike anything he has ever had in his career, having played in both the MLS and Canada.
When asked about the experience, particularly now that “Rangers are coming,” as the interviewee phrased it, Johnston responded, “It is challenging. The pressure is palpable. It differs greatly from what I experienced in the Major League Soccer (MLS) mostly because of the deeper rivalry. Since you live in the same city, you can expect to either be adored or despised when you leave the house.
It’s an intriguing item that you must immediately learn how to handle. You are under pressure to succeed, though, and you sense this at the same moment. You’re expected to win, but you’re also expected to win in a particular manner.
This year, we have experienced that a lot, and it has been challenging. The term of grace offered during a period of significant transition and the appointment of a new manager has not been as extended.
This is not the kind of place where you can go for a while and think, “Okay, things are new.” These are huge clubs. The pressure is applied immediately; it’s straight in. It needs a strong personality to deal with the expectations that are there.
That’s what I discovered at that level: you need to possess a certain amount of mental toughness, tenacity, and persistence since not every day will be as wonderful as it first appears to be the outside world. There is a tonne of pressure.”
