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Something out of body- Celtic’s January signing explains his derby experiences

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Alastair Johnston has described playing in a Glasgow Derby as like an outer body experience!

The defender joined Celtic at the turn of the year, in his 13 appearances to date he has experienced the Derby atmosphere at Ibrox and Hampden with Celtic Park just over a week away in his diary.

Johnston had big boots to fill in Josip Juranovic but his enthusiasm on and off the pitch has quickly made his mark- alongside a North American openness as he embraces himself in European football culture.

Picking up on a podcast from Canada, the Daily Record reports Johnston saying:

It is something you need to experience. I have tried to put it into words for people and even when I was over there, people were trying to explain it to me and said ‘just wait.’

Going out there and feeling the intensity, even the week leading up to it, it’s one of the craziest things sharing a city with your biggest rival. It’s something that’s a bit ominous to be honest.

You lose that match and you can’t leave your flat or house for the next week. So it is one of those one that is so deep rooted and taken on a life of its own, it’s a special match.

In terms of comparing it to a North American rivalry, I don’t think anything compares. I would welcome anyone if they want to experience something out of body, try and get a ticket for one of those matches.

I played once in the league at Ibrox and got thrown in the fire a bit there, then I played for a trophy at Hampden. It was a 50-50 split of fans and the emotion going through the entire match was something to behold.

Johnston picked up an 85th minute yellow card yesterday as Canada beat Honduras 4-1, helping to build on their impressive but unsuccessful performances at the World Cup Finals in Qatar.

Like almost all of Ange Postecoglou’s signings the former Montreal man has adapted quickly to life at Celtic but the stakes will be raised in April with two more Glasgow derbies shaping a crucial stage of the season.

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