Alistair Johnston wants to be like Kieran Tierney for Celtic; reveals common comparison with Chelsea legend

By Hamish Carton

December 12, 2022

Alistair Johnston mentioned former Celtic hero Kieran Tierney earlier today.

The Canada international was unveiled as a Hoops player at Celtic Park, and was asked whether there were any well-known players he likened his game to.

The right-back may have been playing in the MLS in recent years, but his answer showed a deep understanding of football in this part of the world.

“A lot of people have said I play like Cesar Azpilicueta,” he told fan media including 67 Hail Hail.

“Just the flexibility and consistency he provides, the one-v-one defending. He’s so solid week in week out.

“I think that’s a great player I’d like to continue to model my game around.

Photo by ANTONIN THUILLIER/AFP via Getty Images

“There are so many full-backs now with the way the game is evolving. You see a guy like Trent (Alexander-Arnold) come in and pinging diagonals all the time.

“There’s been some very good ones that have come through Celtic as well. I think of Kieran Tierney.

“Just another guy who could get up and down the park, the fittest guy on the field and loves to defend. That’s something I’d love to be.”

It’s encouraging to hear Johnston pick out Kieran Tierney as someone he’d like to aspire to be.

The Arsenal defender is one of the Celtic greats of the past decade, with his commitment to the cause and underrated quality making supporters love him.

Chelsea legend Azpilicueta who captained the team to Champions League glory in 2021, is a similarly committed full-back.

Photo by Carl Recine – Pool/Getty Images

Johnston loves to tackle, as he was keen to point out in more than one answer.

If he gets stuck in, gives his all, and produces some big moments going forward then supporters are going to fall in love with him too.

Today was a good start for him.

We’ll have the full video of Johnston’s meeting with fan media on our YouTube channel tomorrow.

In other news, Johnston also spoke about a meeting with Josip Juranovic

Hamish Carton
Hamish Carton is a sports media professional with more than eight years of experience in the industry. Previously a football reporter for the Press Association, Hamish joined 67 Hail Hail to cover his beloved Celtic FC, the team he has supported all of his life. He is the face of the website’s YouTube channel and is responsible for planning, presenting and editing videos on the channel. He writes occasionally on the website and, just like Patrick, he is so in love with Ange Postecoglou that he's even written a book about his journey at Celtic.

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