Alistair Johnston Lauds Celtic Park’s ‘Animalistic’ and ‘Inhumane’ UCL Roar

Alistair Johnston has described Celtic Park on a European night as ‘animalistic’, hailing the almighty roar the supporters conjure up when the Champions League anthem plays.

The right-back has been a mainstay in Brendan Rodgers’ starting 11 since the Irishman returned to the club last summer.

He has taken his form up a few gears this season and established himself as a key player both on and off the pitch.

Johnston is a real leader within the Celtic dressing room and has worn the captain’s armband on a few occasions already this campaign.

Rodgers tied the star defender down to a new five-year contract last week, with Johnston committing his long term future to the club.

He appears to love life in Glasgow, particularly the passion that Celtic fans bring.

Indeed, when recently speaking about European nights under the lights at Parkhead, the 26-year-old couldn’t get away from the electric aura within the ground: “When you walk out there, and you hear that anthem, the noise that the fans make is almost inhumane,” he said (RecordSport).

“It’s guttural and animalistic in a way – just the scream when the Champions League anthem happens.

“You can see it with the other team, the reactions when they hear it for the first time. It really is a special atmosphere that’s created there.”

Johnston, much like the supporters, can’t wait for tomorrow’s clash with Club Brugge.

He wants to create even more memories and live out his childhood dreams; as a young boy, the defender regularly watched the Champions League on TV, with Celtic Park usually his first port of call to tune in to.

He said: “It’s something as a Footballer that I grew up watching and seeing.

“When Celtic were playing in the Champions League, you’d want to put it on because you want to see the atmosphere. Some of the best Games I’ve ever seen were Celtic Park Champions League matches, just for the atmosphere.

“You can just see what it gives that power to the players, that extra level of sprinting and just everything that they give to the Game.

“Now I’m a part of those matches, being out there and understanding the feeling and the tingle you’ll get down your spine when you hear that noise.”

Johnston and Co. will look forward to hearing that famous roar again tomorrow evening as Club Brugge come to town.