Johnston is only fussed about the things Celtic can control – including winning the Premiership title
Alistair Johnston insists he won’t lose any sleep if Rangers refuse to give Celtic a guard of honour at Ibrox next month – so long as another top flight title is in the bag.
The defending champions will tie up this season’s league crown before the end of this month so long as they avoid defeat against Dundee United at Tannadice on April 26.
And that would result in Brendan Rodgers and his players crossing the Glasgow divide on May 4 in their next Premiership game for a derby day celebration at the home of their fiercest rivals.
But Johnston doesn’t expect Barry Ferguson and his Rangers side to line up beforehand to applaud the Four in a Row champs onto their own pitch.
Asked yesterday if he would ‘expect, anticipate or hope’ for the traditional tribute to be paid he said: “Would I expect it? I wouldn’t say I’d expect it.
“Look, at the end of the day it is what it is. We are not too bothered if someone gives us a guard of honour or not. We just want to be lifting a trophy on the final day of the season and that’s our biggest focus.
“Whatever happens in between that is up to the other teams. It’s out of our control.”
And Johnston admits Celtic’s players might be in danger of disappearing down a rabbit hole should they become dragged into a row over what welcome they can expect on the other side of the city. He went on: “That’s another thing I’ve learned since I’ve been here – just don’t fret about things that are out of your control. If you do that you’re going to lose a lot of sleep and that can take you down some pretty deep and dark rabbit holes.
“For me, it’s just about controlling what we can control – and that’s something that’s very out of our control.”
First Celtic must face St Johnstone in a Scottish Cup semi-final this weekend as they attempt to set up another domestic clean sweep.
Then they’ll head north for a potential title clincher against Dundee United – knowing the championship could yet roll over into derby day at Ibrox. And the Canadian international said: “Hopefully we can take care of business up there.
“But Dundee United have had a great season and their place isn’t easy to go to. They’ve made it a really strong place since they came up.
“We know it will be difficult, but you know when you’re that close to it then it’s something that adds that bit extra to it. It’s a little extra motivation for the guys and something we’re all excited for.
“Hopefully we can wrap the league up at Dundee and then go to Ibrox and play really freely and enjoy that match. But we’ve still got some massive matches before then.”
