Alistair Johnston

Agree. Should have started Ralston at Hearts too.

 

Tbf though, there are some bizarre shouts there. Dante and Otamendi, ffs. What year is it?

 

Ive not seen Otamendi recently but Dante has been brilliant for Nice. Better at 40 then he was at 30.

In any case thats an outrageously good compliment to get for AJ, by all accounts he’s brilliant when he plays with Canada as well and he’s rarely playing dafties in that part of the world in qualifying. Team of the tournament at the Copa America shows his comfort playing at the top level.

Some business getting his deal over the line as there absolutely has to be interest.

 

Current celt and an ex celt. Great AJ is being recognised...especially with his aggressive old school hockey style

 

I love the guy but tonight was the worst I've seen him play for us. Hopefully he gets his mojo back soon.

 

Yeah he wasn't good tonight.

 

Looks like he needs rested or is carrying a knock.

 

He should have been rested against Ross County, I'd be resting him against Hibs

 

Didn't think he was that bad just very quiet. Definitely played worse.

 

Wouldn't worry about his performance mate. The conditions were horrendous and played a massive part. Not the only one to struggle.

 

Struggled tonight but so *. He is the MAN.

 

Was poor, but loved how physical he was at the end.. they were bouncing off him, he's solid..

 

Don't get all the negativity about his performance tonight, I thought he did well, the issue was Khun getting so well policed, they were unable to link up like they usually do.

 

I think he hasn't been good since he signed the new deal. Obviously just a coincidence, but he's definitely been off it for a few games. The same can be said for Kuhn and Maeda.

 

One of his poorer games for sure .

 

The poor * hasn't had a proper rest in ages. Played full season at mls then world cup, then a season here...injured. back playing then copa America then back to celtic. He's gonna be blowing out his * at times.
Ralston definitely should be starting tomorrow

 

All eyes were on Pittodrie on Wednesday night as the Celts travelled to the north-east to take on Aberdeen in horrendous weather conditions.

With just over 10 minutes left to play, Reo Hatate produced a calm and classy finish to give Celtic the lead and ultimately claim all three points for the champions.

That victory continues the Hoops’ unbeaten start to the domestic campaign and it also means that, going in to this weekend’s match against Hibernian, Brendan Rodgers’ men have a seven-point lead at the top of the league table.

And speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow’s match at Paradise, Alistair Johnston praised his side’s personality and the will to win that they have shown since the start of the season.

“Not every win is going to be perfect,” he said. “It won’t always be like the first half against Ross County when the goals seem to be flying in.

“We understand that and it’s something that every single team that has won titles understands, it’s not always going to be perfect.

'Finding a way to get the results is the most important thing.’

“Especially when you’re up against a team in second place, and you go up there and get three points.

“It’s a good sign, not just of the quality of the team but of the personality and ruggedness that we have, which I think is going to be really important for our title defence

Gale-force winds and driving, torrential rain made Wednesday night’s match an even tougher task than it was already going to be.

Despite those conditions, though, the Celts stuck to their game-plan and to the style that has brought success so far this season.

And for Johnston, he said that Wednesday’s victory proves that the champions can adapt to any circumstances while still remaining focused on their own system and approach.

He said: “It was a great feeling (to win) and a great performance again.

“We all realised when we were warming up that it was going to be a different type of match and a different challenge as well.

“I think it shows that we can go out there and win in any conditions and that’s important up here in Scotland.

“It goes to show that we can still play our kind of football even if it is 60mph wind! It was a horrible night but it was a good night for our fans and for our team."

Hibernian will travel to Glasgow’s East End tomorrow afternoon for a 3pm kick off , and although the David Gray’s side have had a poor start to the season, positive results in their last two fixtures have brought a hint of confidence back to the Easter Road side.

The Celts have defeated Hibs twice already this season, but the Hoops’ right-back says that he and his team-mates still expect a tough test at Paradise tomorrow afternoon.

Johnston added: “Hibs are a good team. That’s something we’ve always understood with Hibs, they always provide a good test.

“They come out here at Celtic Park especially and they always like to try and play their football.

“I was speaking to Junior Hoilett during the international break and he agreed that they have a good team but it just wasn’t clicking.

“But they knew that the pressure was on so I think that that’s the sign of a good team as well, that when the pressure is starting to heat up, they’ve now started to dig in and find results.

“It’s going to be a good challenge and test for us, but one that we’re excited for.”

 

He was a massive part on Wednesday about us holding our own in the physical battle and still being able to not get dragged down in that physicality and play our football as well.

He made sure guys stayed tackled, winning the ball fairly doing so. That’s an underrated but massive thing for games like Wednesday. Physical, torrid conditions and making sure we don’t get bullied there. We don’t have an outstanding amount of players that can do that. CCV, Trusty, AJ and at times Idah are the highlights for that. And obviously Tony Ralston, but AJ is the guy infront of him. Taylor is an interesting one in those types of games. Can be physically dominated, but is a bit of that wee niggling annoying ‘weaselly’ sort of players that gives it back sneakily.

Not seen it yet but I think McCowan can also. It’s so important sometimes in Scotland guys who hold themselves in the battle, and not guys who are just held above it. But for most it’s not a natural thing that comes to them. AJ it is, and others follow suit.