Now that the League Cup has been added to Celtic’s trophy collection, the Scottish Premiership takes centre stage again this weekend.
Celtic head to Tannadice to face Dundee United, with Brendan Rodgers managing his first league game at the ground since his return to the Parkhead hot seat.
Rodgers will aim to secure three points and maintain the Hoops’ commanding lead at the top of the table.
Meanwhile, Rangers play Dundee 24 hours earlier and could briefly close the gap before Celtic kick off.
However, with an 11-point cushion separating the Glasgow rivals, Celtic defender Alistair Johnston has made it clear that his team remains solely focused on their own performances as they approach a critical period of the season.
Alistair Johnston denies sending a warning about Rangers
Speaking to the Daily Record, Johnston reflected on the challenges ahead and dismissed the idea of focusing too much on their rivals. He said:
“They’re a good team. The league is still early. We’re in December and there’s a long way to go. I think last year was a perfect example of that. We had a pretty solid lead, then we threw it away and managed to claw it back at the very end.
“There’s going to be twists and turns. We can only really focus on ourselves. At the end of the day, if you just consistently pick up three points you’re going to leave yourself in a pretty good position going into matches against [Rangers].”
Johnston’s words were measured. Contrary to reports claiming he had issued a warning to Celtic about Rangers, Johnston instead emphasised the importance of maintaining focus on their own performances.
The defender simply urged his teammates to avoid complacency and continue securing results, nothing more.
Johnston praises Celtic’s resilience against Rangers
The Canadian international also highlighted the Hoops’ impressive track record against Rangers, noting their ability to perform under pressure in Glasgow Derbies. Johnston added:
“Normally they end up being title deciders, but if you can give yourself as big a buffer as possible going into those matches it helps take some pressure off and leaves yourself in a good position no matter what the result is in those matches.
“But, again, we’ve shown a great ability to win these kinds of matches, and I think that’s something that’s deep-rooted in this team and comes from the leaders we have in James Forrest and Callum McGregor and all those kinds of guys.
“We were expecting Rangers to kick on as well, and over the past couple of weeks they have done, but we know if we play our best football it’s really all about us at the end of the day.”
Johnston’s unbeaten record against Rangers
Johnston’s confidence is backed by an impeccable personal record in matches against Rangers. Since joining Celtic in 2022, he has faced the Ibrox club 11 times across all competitions and has yet to taste defeat.
His appearances include memorable clashes such as the League Cup final earlier this week, where Celtic triumphed on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw.
These derbies have showcased Johnston’s consistency and ability to rise to the occasion, with his performances solidifying his reputation as a key figure in Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Full list of Johnston’s games against Rangers
Here’s a rundown of Alistair Johnston’s appearances against Rangers in a Celtic jersey:
Scottish Premiership 22/23
Rangers 2–2 Celtic
Celtic 3–2 Rangers
Scottish Premiership 23/24
Rangers 0–1 Celtic
Celtic 2–1 Rangers
Rangers 3–3 Celtic
Celtic 2–1 Rangers
Scottish FA Cup 22/23
Rangers 0–1 Celtic
Scottish FA Cup 23/24
Celtic 1–0 Rangers
Scottish League Cup 22/23
Rangers 1–2 Celtic
Scottish League Cup 24/25
Celtic 3–3 Rangers (Celtic win 5-4 on penalties)
Johnston’s influence, both on and off the pitch, continues to be pivotal for Celtic as they look to extend their dominance domestically while staying prepared for the challenges Rangers may pose in the coming months.
