Celtic are in action against Club Brugge this week and Alistair Johnston will be keen to continue his excellent form on Champions League duty after signing a new contract.
The 26-year-old has been in fine fettle this term, registering nine goal contributions in 18 appearances across all competitions.
Alistair Johnston’s new Celtic contract comes as a just reward for his exploits, with the Canada international now tied down to the Parkhead giants until the summer of 2029.
Like always, Champions League nights are a unique selling point that help Celtic retain their prize assets. Without that possibility available, it would be a harder challenge in trying to convince jewels to stick around.
However, Johnston is looking ahead to the future very much a Celtic player, and he has now provided some insight on plans for the club to make even more European history this campaign.
Alistair Johnston on Celtic desire for Champions League history
Speaking to The Daily Record, Johnston believes the Bhoys’ win over RB Leipzig can be a launchpad for more success as they look to put qualification for the knockout phase beyond doubt.
He explained: “For the Leipzig match, Celtic Park was on fire. It was unbelievable. Everyone walked out of the stadium that night just overjoyed with that. I didn’t sleep and I can’t imagine our fans really slept too much after that. Those poor people that had to go to work the next day, I feel for them. But again, it’s matches like that, which just get you hooked.
“It really is almost like a drug that you just want more and more of once you get a little taste of it. Now you’re just so excited for the next one to go out there and hopefully replicate it or take it even a step further and have a better performance.
Later, he added: “When you come to one of these famous clubs like Celtic, you want to make your own history. You want to somehow find a way to do that. It’s tough because there is such a great and grand history of this club.
“But you want to be a part of things that fans remember – you want to be remembered for something. I’d love to go down being remembered as being a part of one of the best Celtic teams that you can possibly be a part of.
“This team so far with what we’ve shown, we’re definitely rivalling that, but at the same time you need to win trophies. The European nights are really important. If you can do something on the European stage, that will live long in our fans’ memories.”
Celtic stand on the Champions League precipice
With a victory over Club Brugge, Celtic will likely secure progression to the knockout playoff phase in the Champions League, although there may be a wait for confirmation depending on results elsewhere.
Nevertheless, ten points is almost certainly enough to extend their stay in Europe’s premier competition, which would be some turnaround from finishing bottom of their group last year containing Atletico Madrid, Feyenoord and Lazio.
Last year’s Europa Conference League semi-finalists won’t be a straightforward opponent at Parkhead, but you have to fancy Celtic to get the job done.
