Alistair Johnston happy with three points as he joins Celtic's 100 club | OneFootball

The champions got back to winning ways under the lights at Paradise tonight with a resounding 5-1 victory over Aberdeen, extending their lead at the top of the table to 16 points.

Celtic established a 3-0 lead by half-time and they added to that in the second half with two more goals to secure the three points in emphatic fashion.

The result came on the back of a 2-1 defeat away to Hibernian at the weekend, and, speaking to Celtic TV after tonight’s match, Alistair Johnston said that it was of paramount importance that the Bhoys responded to the weekend’s disappointment with a positive result tonight.

He said: “Whenever you can beat a team of this quality and score five goals, you’ve got to be pretty happy, especially at this stage of the season.

“The most important thing is to get the results and the points on the board, continue to climb and see what we can get to by the end of the season.

“Even when it was a bit sticky, we still have moments of brilliance and quality up front that can get you goals.

“That’s something that we’ve been blessed with – an unbelievably talented squad and some really talented forward players who can score even when we’re struggling.”

It was a night where the numbers were to the fore as Callum McGregor grabbed his 50th Celtic league goal, 19-year-old Jude Bonnar made his first appearance for the club and Alistair Johnston joined the 100 club, having now made a century of appearances for the Hoops.

Speaking about the significance of that milestone, the Canadian expressed his pride at having reached that number with Celtic.

“Tony Ralston congratulated me before the game on my 100th appearance but I didn’t realise it was!" he said.

“To have 100 appearances at a club like this is really special. Around the changing room, there are guys who have so many more than that, and it feels like a small number.

“But to me, it’s an impressive thing and to me and my family, it’s really important and special.

“To have thought a couple years ago that I’d have 100 appearances for a club like Celtic, it’s not something that was even in the realm of possibility.

“So to say that I’ve done that, I’m pretty proud of myself and hopefully I’ll kick on and get some more under my belt.

Alongside Alistair Johnston for his Celtic TV interview was tonight’s Man of the Match, Arne Engels, who added his own praise for the right-back.

Engels said: “He’s always pushing in every game, and for him to get an assist in the last minute is crazy.

“He’s doing really well and I’m really impressed with him, so I hope he just keeps on going.”

Fixtures

Celtic Vs. Aberdeen - Tue, Feb 25th 2025, 20:00 Final score: 5 - 1