Alistair Johnston admits he DID brand Celtic rival a 'little b****' as he reveals trash talk is axed for one match only
Alistair Johnston admits he’ll bin the trash talk against Bayern Munich.
Hearts rival Blair Spittal revealed on a podcast last week the Celtic star branded him a ‘little b****', when the pair were battling it out. The usually mild-mannered Johnston laughed it off – but he reckons he might be better biting his lip against Bayern in the Champions League tomorrow night. Johnston said: “Yeah, I don’t think so. You see, I am reasonably quiet on the pitch! I generally don’t talk unless I feel there’s the need to talk.
“But I do remember this match. I do remember saying it, although I would need to watch it back to remind myself exactly why I said it! But there was probably good reason. I don’t just say things completely out of the blue. He might’ve thought so. But it sounds like he had a good laugh with it, and fair enough. I didn’t mean it with any derogatory meaning, but it was like trash talk at the end of the day.
"Growing up, that was something .you would always do. I’ve a couple of brothers and playing hockey, it was just something that kind of goes with the course. I was surprised by how quiet most people are over here.
“Usually at European level you don’t get a lot of it, especially with the language barriers. But I’ve been surprised a little bit more domestically. I guess that comes with a lot of times we get respect from the other teams. They don’t want to say something and then before you know it we’ve put the ball in your net a couple of times.
“But that was a funny one – I was wondering if that would ever come out! He did well with it, though. It was a good story.”
Johnston will need his full focus to keep tabs on Bayern’s blistering attack – that includes danger man Jamal Musiala, who did the damage against Scotland in the Euros last summer. Johnston said: “Looking at their front four, with Kane at no.9, Musiala underneath, his ability to pick up space and dribble out of things, his feet are unbelievable. You think you are getting a clean tackle and all of a sudden he’s taken three more touches and is away.
“They have so much quality and goal threat – their end product is what really jumps off the page. The depth as well, they can bring on quality. They started with Kingsley Coman and then brought on Leroy Sane – which is a bit silly really.
“I think he scored with his first touch. That’s what you expect from these top clubs, it’s not just their starting XI that’s world class.
“We’ll see what Kompany decides to do, but whatever you are going to be up against one of the best in the world. We’re excited for the challenge because it’s a good measuring stick for us. “Okay we are up against the best in the world, lets see if we can minimise the gap on the night.”
Alistair Johnston was speaking to promote the Celtic Paradise Windfall half-time lottery – where fans can win a bumper £25,000 tomorrow night. Tickets cost £2m around Celtic Park on the night, for more details see www.celticfc.com/celtic-pools/paradise-windfall
