Difference between revisions of "Alistair Johnston Says St Johnstone Defeat Gave Celtic Wake-up Call"

Latest revision as of 14:22, 27 March 2026

Alistair Johnston thinks Celtic's recent shock defeat by struggling St was maybe a required wake-up call ahead of their Scottish Gas Scottish Cup semi-final clash at Hampden on Sunday.


The William Hill Premiership champions-elect were beaten 1-0 by the league's bottom side at McDiarmid Park, after which supervisor Brendan Rodgers was far from happy.


They recovered at the weekend with a thumping 5-1 home win over Kilmarnock which means they will win their 4th successive title and their 13th in 14 years if they prevent defeat versus Dundee United at Tannadice in the first video game after the split.


First, however, is the chance to get to another Scottish Cup final, where they would deal with either Hearts or Aberdeen need to they conquer Simo Valakari's men.


" I think it's tough to look past Daizen. I believe that objective record promotes itself!"


Alistair Johnston spoke to the media ahead of the launch of choosing Celtic's Player of the Year awards. #CelticFC- Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) April 15, 2025


Looking back at the Perth defeat, the Canada full-back said: "It's a tip of why you play football. It's not used paper, it's played on the football pitch for a factor, and at the end of the day anyone can win on any offered day.


"So, yeah, it was a wake-up that if we do not perform the manner in which we know we can and we must carry out, that we can lose any football match domestically or on the continent, anywhere you play.


Alistair Johnston (right) states a league defeat to St Johnstone acted as a wake-up call for Celtic (Andrew Milligan/PA)


"So that was definitely something that I believe kind of was required, an awakening, especially when you enter this final part of the season where there's prizes on the line, that it was good for the entire group, just to refocus, and kind of light a fire under some guys too.


"I think that we made some modifications going into this weekend and you were advised of a few of the quality that we also have on the bench which it isn't just a set beginning XI, we really do have an actually excellent squad here and anybody that requires to step in can and will.


It was a little bit of a wake-up call for us, and I believe we will be much better for it.


Alistair Johnston


"So it just was a truly good pointer to everybody that you have actually got to play the proper way and you have got to give whatever due to the fact that these are excellent teams in this league and you can lose on any offered match.


"This is going to be a massive match not just for us, however for St Johnstone also, this is a cup semi-final.


"This is a possibility to get to a cup final and everybody's going to be looking at that and circling this is an opportunity.


"So we're ready for that. It was a little bit of a wake-up call for us, and I think we will be better for it."