Alistair Johnston set Celtic doctor non negotiable for Rangers battle as he makes confession over Hampden podium
Alistair Johnston insists there was no way he was going to miss out on the prospect of a Hampden party – even if he’d have to celebrate on one leg.
The Celtic defender picked up an injury in the Champions League draw with Dinamo Zagreb just days before the Premier Sports Cup Final. Johnston didn’t train before the Rangers showdown but the Canada ace was adamant with the club doctor that he wasn’t going to miss out.
The full back has gained hero status with Parkhead punters for his all action style and determination on the pitch. He was at it again in Sunday’s epic showdown as he managed to make the starting line up – and lasted an hour against the odds. Eventually Johnston had to go off – and he revealed he was so sore he couldn’t even get up on the podium. But some things are worth it and there was never any chance he’d allow injury to hold him back from the chance to add to his Hoops medal haul.
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Johnston said: “I don’t think I made it over to the proper celebrations. It was a crazy match. I knew it was going to be a bit hectic, but those are the kind of games that shave years off your life. I’m just glad we got out with the result and trophy.
“It was one of the reasons I signed for Celtic, to play in cup finals and it’s always fun when it’s a 50-50 split like that. Both sets of supporters helped create a great atmosphere and made it pretty special to play in.
“Even though I was injured it made me want to fight through it just to be part of that kind of game. It’s always special playing at Hampden and lifting the trophy in front of our fans at the end is special.”
Johnston might have to follow doctor’s orders this weekend though at Dundee United but he still has no regrets about going above an beyond the call of duty. He said: “I guess we’ll just see. Realistically, I might not have played this match if it wasn’t a cup final, but I made it pretty clear to the medical staff that I want to be available and do everything possible.
“The whole plan was for me to try not to put myself in an awkward position where I could potentially tweak something but I had a weird slip about 10 minutes in and I knew right then that it was going to be a long game to get through.
“I fought through and when we got to 2-1 I thought, ‘I’m really struggling here, let’s bring Tony (Ralston) on’. Then all of sudden it got even more chaotic in a way with the scoreline and everything.
“But I’m just happy we managed to lift the trophy. It’s going to be one of those ones I’ll look back on and have probably forgotten that I came off in the match or was fighting through anything. All that really matters is that you have the trophy in your cabinet.”
Johnston was on agony on the pitch – but it was every bit as tough watching the thriller unfold from the sidelines. By the time the dust settled it was more relief than anything to get his hands on another trophy.
The 26-year-old battler has hoovered up six winners’ medals in just under two years at the club and was thrilled to add to his collection – even if it was torture being a spectator for the last half hour of the 90, extra time and penalties.
Johnston said: “What was harder? It’s a toss up. Watching when you can’t affect the game after you come off is really frustrating but at the same time I thought Tony did a great job.
“It wasn’t an easy game to come into with how they were playing and pressing us, and we were a bit all over the shop. It was a crazy match to watch but at the end of the day you just have to come out of these matches with a win, and we did, so we’re really happy.”
Johnston may have to rest up and heal but he’s got no doubts the Celtic squad have the quality to cope with a brutal festive fixture list. Brendan Rodgers’ side head to Tannadice on Sunday before home clashes with Motherwell and St Johnstone over the Christmas week and then the mammoth New Year meeting with old foes Rangers at Ibrox.
Johnston has faith in the strength in depth – and character of the squad to produce the goods when it matters. He said: “We’ve got plenty of guys who have played in big matches and finals. We’ve got that core then you bring on a guy like James Forrest who is now the joint most decorated Celtic player of all time.
“When you’ve got that coming off the bench, there’s definitely some experience there and experience of winning trophies. There’s that underlying confidence we have that no matter how tough it gets we’ve won these matches before in the past, and we can rely on that killer instinct to get us through tough moments.”
