Alistair Johnston insists the derby showdown with Rangers is a 'great game' for him and he's ready to go if called upon by Ange Postecoglou.
The Celtic boss snapped up the Canada World Cup star earlier this month and he's been making himself familiar with his new surroundings and team-mates in the past few weeks. He's available for top team selection from January 1 and could be handed a baptism of fire when the Premiership leaders make the trip to Ibrox for the second Old Firm of the season.
Michael Beale will get his first taste of the derby as Rangers manager with his side trailing by nine points in the race for the league title. It's set to be a blockbuster occasion and one that new recruit Johnston would love to be involved in. He believes the game is ideal for a player of his nature as he admitted the physical battle is something he really enjoys and it fires him up to perform on these sort of occasions.
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Josip Juranovic is back after his stunning World Cup with Croatia and was named on the bench for the thumping win over Hibs at Easter Road while Anthony Ralston faces a fitness battle ahead of the showdown. Reo Hatate played the last two games at right-back with Postecoglou facing a decision on who is best to start in the role on Monday afternoon.
Johnston said: “It’s definitely the kind of game I get up for even more. You could say that for the whole city — obviously, Rangers v Celtic is a match known around the world.
“At the same time we completely understand if you win that, it’s still three points.
“But there is, of course, added significance, and we understand that.
“It’s a great game for a player like me.
“That physical battle is something I enjoy a lot and it really gets me up for a match.”
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