“We have is something that is really unique,” Alistair Johnston

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The Celtic Star

·12 ottobre 2025

“We have is something that is really unique,” Alistair Johnston

Celtic will be boosted by the return of Alistair Johnston when the players all get back to Lennoxtown to pick-up on domestic football after the October international break…

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

The right-back is back on the grass and working towards a return to action in the second half of this month and that will be a huge boost for Brendan Rodgers and his Celtic side.

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In a wide ranging interview on the club’s TV channel, Johnston talked about the multi-national flavour of the Celtic dressing room and how all the players coming from different corners of the globe, all blend together seamlessly.

“It is our biggest strength. I don’t think that would come as a surprise to anyone,” Alistair Johnston noted in his exclusive interview on Celtic TV this week.

“We have so many guys from so many different backgrounds, so many different cultures and countries. To see how everyone works together and that harmony that we have is something that is really unique.”

This in Johnston’s view is not what perhaps he’d have expected given previous experiences in football and it’s certainly a credit to those working at the club to have built this togetherness that Johnston reckons bodes well for the club’s ongoing success as he eyes his own return to action after suffering a hamstring injury in the ill-fated Champions League tie against Kairat Almaty.

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)

“I’ve been in multiple different teams, different changing rooms and different iterations of teams, but to see this, it’s definitely something that bodes well. I think it’s only going to help us in the long run. It’ll be an exciting period here for our whole squad.”

“It’s a great opportunity for us, and I don’t think there’s any other way to look at it,” AJ said to Celtic TV as he looked forward to the remaining six Europa League matches with Celtic having just the one point from the two opening rounds of fixtures. Johnston accepts that Celtic have yet to find top gear this season and admits that will have to happen as soon as possible.

“Of course, we would have loved to have been in the Champions League, but it didn’t happen. We’re in the Europa League, which again is another major European competition.

James Forrest celebrates with Alistair Johnston after scoring during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and St Mirren at Celtic Park on May 17, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“We do have a sneaky confidence within our group that we can go out there if we put it together and play the way that we can, we can put together some really good results that can take us into the knockout rounds, ideally, and see where it goes from there.

“There’s definitely a confidence in this group, but we probably haven’t hit that top gear yet, so that’s something that we’re working towards.”

“It’s a great opportunity for us, and I don’t think there’s any other way to look at it, Of course, we would have loved to have been in the Champions League, but it didn’t happen. We’re in the Europa League, which again is another major European competition.

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

“There’s definitely a confidence in this group, but we probably haven’t hit that top gear yet, so that’s something that we’re working towards.”

Celtic return to action a week today with a trip to Dens Park to take in Dundee. That’s followed by a midweek Europa League match at Celtic Park – in the later 8pm kick-off slot – against Austrian outfit Sturm Graz, who beat theRangers in their last game.

Hearts v Hibernian Scottish Premiership 04/10/2025. GOAL 1-0 Craig Halkett of Hearts scores the winning goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Hearts and Hibernian at Tynecastle Park on 4 October 2025. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie/ PSI

Then it’s a top of the table clash at Tynecastle against Hearts a fortnight today with October rounding off with a home match against Falkirk on Wednesday 29 October.

All winnable matches and that would set us up perfectly for November which is looking like a crucial month in the calendar for Celtic.

Get your copy of ‘Celtic in the Eighties’ which has been personally signed by Celtic legend Danny McGrain…

Celtic legend Danny McGrain is seen during the League Cup Final between Aberdeen and Celtic at Hampden Park on November 27, 2016. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Don’t miss the chance to purchase the late, great Celtic historian David Potter’s final Celtic book, Celtic in the Eighties. All remaining copies have been signed by the legendary Celtic captain Danny McGrain , who also wrote the foreword for Celtic in the Eighties. And you’ll also receive a FREE copy of David Potter’s Willie Fernie biography – Putting on the Style, plus you’ll only be charged for postage on one book. Order from Celtic Star Books HERE.

Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain has signed the remaining batch of David Potter’s outstanding final book Celtic in the Eighties so hurry to get your signed copy!

Ordering is simple, just place your order for Celtic in the Eighties at celticstarbooks.com/shop and we’ll do the rest, ensuring your copy is signed by Danny PLUS you’ll also receive a complimentary Willie Fernie book dispatched by the next working day, whilst stocks last.

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

Please note that stocks are now running very low indeed and the book will NOT be reprinted. Click on the image below to order. Also postage will only be charged on ONE book, not per item so if you are in Britain or the six counties you will pay £24.50 for both books – one side by Danny McGrain and that includes the postage costs for speedy delivery. As always the books are hardback and are of the highest quality.