“That’s the hardest thing to do,” Alistair Johnston

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The Celtic Star

·9 de octubre de 2025

“That’s the hardest thing to do,” Alistair Johnston

Alistair Johnston has waited long enough to get back on the park in a Celtic jersey and he is set to return shortly after the international break, that’s probably a few weeks ahead of the initial expectations after pulling his hamstring in the Champions League qualifier against Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park in late August.

Alistair Johnston of Celtic is stretchered off after sustaining an injury during the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Celtic and Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park on August 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

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Speaking to Celtic TV in an exclusive interview the Canadian right back praised one of his stand-ins, the 19 year old Celtic Academy graduate Colby Donovan, before turning his attention to his own return.

“It’s been a couple of months since I’ve been out there, but I’ve been good. I have not had any real setbacks, which has been nice, and I have been doing tons of work behind the scenes with our medical staff,” AJ told Celtic TV.

“It has been difficult watching all of the matches from the side, and as a player, that’s the hardest thing to do, not being able to affect the game and not really feeling like you’re completely a part of the group.

Alistair Johnston modelling the brand new Celtic FC x adidas Terrace Icons collection

“We’re getting close now, and we’re not going to put a timeline on it, but I’m feeling really good. It’s been so good getting back out on the grass, smelling the fresh air again and just feeling a football again, to be honest.

”We’re definitely ticking towards getting back out there, and I’m just looking forward to getting back out there and just being with the team again. Just the training sessions, everything about it, it’s something that you really miss as an athlete, and as a competitor, it’s tough when you can’t do what you really love.

Alistair Johnston at Celtic Training Session, Scottish Premiership, Football, Celtic Lennoxtown Training Ground, 01 Aug 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

“So that’s what I’m really looking forward to,” AJ said. There’s more to come from the Alistair Johnston interview on Celtic TV from The Celtic Star and there’s also a preview video below. Subscribers to Celtic TV can watch the video simply by logging into their Celtic TV account.

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