Ange Postecoglou praises Celtic star with a promise that “there’s more to come”

Add as preferred source on Google

If there is anything we have learned over the last few months, it is that Alistair Johnston really has taken Celtic to his heart.

A January signing this year, Johnston plays like he has been at the club for years and has seamlessly slotted into the right-back position after taking over from Josip Juranovic.

In the short period he has been at the club, the Canadian was thrown into a Glasgow Derby debut at Ibrox where he acquitted himself really well. He was superb in the League Cup final in the 2-1 win and after a Man of the Match performance on Saturday afternoon, Johnston just seems to be effortlessly taking every challenge in his stride.

So it is hardly surprising that Ange Postecoglou was full of praise for the defender after his part in the 3-2 win over Rangers at Parkhead.

When he was asked about how Johnston had taken over the mantle from Juranovic [Daily Record], the Celtic manager said, “Josip was fantastic for us and contributed greatly. But he took on that challenge.

“Tony Ralston has had an injury so he’s our only one so we had to get that right. But I was really confident in him, both as a player and as a person.

“You know what, I think there is still more to come from him.

“But a big part of that is that you know that the improvement in his football will be accompanied by the fact he’s just the right kind of character in a group. He’s not the shy, retiring type.

“He enjoys the battle and he’s come into an environment where the other guys are like-minded.

“We have an outstanding leader in Callum. But outside of that, they all take the responsibility upon themselves and nobody out there needs too much direction.

“They are all prepared to take things on the front foot when it’s their turn. And he certainly does that.”

What have Celtic found in Alistair Johnston?

The main thing that has impressed me about Johnston is he has excellent leadership qualities.

He has an air of confidence about him and a commanding presence and since his debut in January, he has contributed to a defence that has conceded just eight goals in almost three and a half months.

And if what Ange says is true and there is more to come from him I, like many other Celtic fans, cannot wait to see it.