“We’ll take it day by day, hour by hour,” Alistair Johnston’s race against the clock | OneFootball

Alistair Johnston faces a race against time to be ready for Sunday’s Premier Sports League Cup Final against theRangers at Hampden Park after picking up an injury just before the interval in Zagreb last night in Celtic’s goalless draw with Dinamo Zagreb…

Marko Rog and Alistair Johnston of Celtic battle for possession during the UEFA Champions League match between GNK Dinamo and Celtic FC at Stadion Maksimir on December 10, 2024.. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

The right decision to put Tony out there

“It was just an awkward one. We’ll do some tests on it and hopefully it’s nothing too serious. We’ll kind of take it day by day,” Johnston explained afterwards, via Daily Record. “It’s just a weird one and I was glad I could make it to half time. But I think it was the right decision to put Tony out there and get us through the 90 minutes.”

The Canadian was asked about his prospects of making it for the final: “We’ll see. Hopefully it’s nothing too serious and we’ll be back out on the training pitch and get ready to go for Sunday”

He will as you would expect, be doing everything possible to be ready for the final.

Marko Rog of GNK Dinamo and Alistair Johnston of Celtic battle for possession during the UEFA Champions League match between GNK Dinamo and Celtic FC at Stadion Maksimir on December 10, 2024. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

It’s a match that’s circled on the calendar

“Of course I will. It’s a match that’s circled on the calendar, it’s a match I want to be a part of. It’s a chance to lift a trophy, a big match. So, yes, Sunday’s not far away but at the same time there’s just enough of a break where I feel like…listen, we’ll see how it goes and hopefully I’ll be ready for it.”

Johnston, who already has a medal collection the entire squad from theRangers, including long serving captain James Tavernier could only dream about and he clearly wants to add to that on Sunday at Hampden. Johnston also gave his thoughts on last night’s match in the Champions League.

Plenty of reasons for wanting to be ready

“Exactly. There are plenty of reasons for wanting to be ready, firing and fit for that Sunday one. We’ll see how the flight goes, and see how tomorrow goes. We’ll take it day by day, hour by hour.

Sandro Kulenovic  is put under pressure by Cameron Carter-Vickers  during the UEFA Champions League match between GNK Dinamo and Celtic at Stadion Maksimir on December 10, 2024.(Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

“I think we’re in good shape. Injuries, knock on wood, I think we’ve been quite lucky this year. Again, this was a difficult game, for us to go to Zagreb and get a clean sheet. It’s a difficult place to play. The crowd was good even though they were quite far back. We lacked a little bit of cutting edge in the final third.

First opportunity to go and lift a trophy

“Nil nil, I think anybody who watched it would feel it was a fair result. At the same time, we do feel good, we’re fit and we’ve been really strong domestically. This is the first opportunity to go and lift a trophy – it’s something all of the lads are ready to go for.”

That draw against Dinamo Zagreb leaves Celtic on nine points with two games to play. Alistair Johnston gave his assessment of where Celtic stands in the competition as the dust settles on that 0-0 draw.

Callum McGregor acknowledges the fans following the UEFA Champions League match between GNK Dinamo and Celtic FC at Stadion Maksimir on December 10, 2024 in Zagreb, Croatia. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

Something to build on

“It’s something to build on and in the Champions League, every point matters. And away from home, if you can pick up a point it’s important. All these grounds are difficult to go to. We’re going to look back on it, it wasn’t our best performance by any stretch of the imagination.

“But at the same time, we went out there, kept a clean sheet and limited them to just a few chances. Again, it’s something to build on.

More points to be gained

“Nine points after six games, I don’t think anybody would be looking back on that with too much regret. If you’d told the guys that at the beginning of the season, we’d be on this tally by this stage, a lot of our fans and ourselves would be happy with that.

“But there are still more points to be gained. We’re looking at the positives and there;’s still two matches to add to our points tally.”

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Sandro Kulenovic looks dejected after the team’s 0-0 draw with Celtic during the UEFA Champions League match  at Stadion Maksimir on December 10, 2024 (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

Perhaps it’s good sign that there’s some frustration and disappointment after only picking up one point at a tough venue in an away Champions League match. “It’s a great sign. Since I’ve been here, it’s one of the big things I was told, that there was a desire to make big strides in Europe. To think now, we’re coming to away matches – it doesn’t matter the team – and we’re a little disappointed with a draw, that’s a sign of how far we’ve come.

“It wasn’t our night. The important thing when you’re struggling a little bit in the final third, you don’t give up anything defensively. And I think we did a really good job with that.

Looking forward to the Cup Final on Sunday Johnston said: “It’s a game that everyone looks forward to, it’s games like these everyone wants – to compete for trophies, and finals at Hampden. It’s where you want to be. It will be a great match and everyone’s excited for it.

“It’s the first trophy of the season and we’d love to add it to our collection and really kick start and end this calendar year on a high note. It would set us up well for the remaining sprint we’ve got through this Christmas period we’ve got and into the second half of the season.”

Fingers crossed for good news today or tomorrow on Johnston’s injury.

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