Alistair Johnston says Celtic’s clash with Young Boys will be like their Champions League Final – as they attempt to reach the knockout phase.
The Hoops full-back is gearing up for one of the club’s biggest European games when the Swiss arrive in Glasgow on Wednesday night. A victory for Brendan Rodgers’ side will all but secure their place in the play-offs – and keep up their hopes of finishing in the top eight. With Aston Villa away in their final group game, Johnston wants a victory over Young Boys in midweek.
The Canadian is aware of how important qualification could be for Rodgers’ men. And he’s convinced they can get the job done with the backing of Celtic’s fanatical home support. After the 2-1 Scottish Cup fourth-round win over Kilmarnock, Johnston said: “It’s massive. We know where we are in the table and how important the points could be. At the end of the day, this is the one you look at.
“It could be like a cup final for us if you get the points you need because you will probably secure a knockout round place. And you don’t really want to be going to Villa away needing something.
“Villa are comfortable but they’ll still want as many points as possible to be high up the table. We know Villa won’t be easy at all so it’s important that we make it count on Wednesday.
“It’s a massive chance and I’m looking forward to it. The atmosphere is going to be unbelievable – Celtic Park under the lights and with a lot on the line.”
Celtic eventually saw off Killie in the Cup thanks to goals from Callum McGregor and Daizen Maeda after Bobby Wales had levelled for the visitors. But it was German winger Nicolas Kuhn who lit up Parkhead near the end with a fantastic assist for the Japanese winger to bag the winner.
Johnston hailed Kuhn, who is now back to full fitness after injury, and says he gives Celts a spark which will be needed in midweek. The right-back said: “It’s great to have Nic back. We’ve missed him in the past couple of games.
“He provides something for us – the spark, that moment of magic. He can beat his man on the inside or the outside.
“As a full-back, that’s a nightmare to defend against – when a guy’s just so comfortable going either way. He’s been doing it all year for us. So that wasn’t a surprise now that he’s back up to speed.
“He’s mad he didn’t have another goal or an assist in the game today. But it’s good to have him back and firing because we’re going to need him in this Champions League match coming up.”
Johnston is desperate for Celtic to hit the 12-point mark against Young Boys to cement that Champions League play-off berth. The defender said: “We’ve got to find a way to get a result there.
“We’ve put ourselves in a great position. We’ve picked up a points’ total that I think everyone can look back on as a pretty solid tally.
“We’re at the end of January with something to play for. That’s something that we always wanted to be involved in.
“With two matches left we can clinch a spot in the knockout rounds. And what a special moment that would be. It’s where we want to be.
“It’s where we’ve been pushing over these past couple of years to get to. We have to take it by the scruff of the neck. That’s a challenge. It’s not going to be easy but it’s something that I think we’re all excited for.”