Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston has offered a candid reflection on his adjustment to life in Glasgow, admitting he struggled with the intense public scrutiny that comes with playing for the Scottish Champions…
The Canadian international, who joined Celtic from CF Montréal in early 2023, has enjoyed remarkable success on the field—winning seven domestic trophies in just over two years. But off the pitch, Johnston admits the transition was more difficult than he anticipated.
“It’s a fishbowl, all these different things”
“It’s something that you hear about, you know, it’s a fishbowl, all these different things,” Johnston told One Soccer. “You never really truly feel it or can understand or grasp it until you’re actually living it.”
The 25-year-old explained that the constant attention began to take a toll on his mental well-being during his first year in Glasgow.
“I just felt like I was a little overwhelmed”
“I could tell performances were lagging a little bit and I just felt like I was a little overwhelmed,” he said. “That’s when I actually started speaking to a sports psychologist… Being out in public in Glasgow is really difficult. It’s taxing.”
The solution, Johnston said, came in the form of privacy and space. Originally living in the bustling West End, he made the decision to move out of the city centre.
“I decided I was gonna move from a flat in the West End”
“That’s when I decided I was gonna move from a flat in the West End and move out and get a house with a private garden and everything, so that we could have the dog running about and just have a bit more privacy,” he said.
He credits the change with improving his ability to unwind and recharge away from the demands of being a public figure.
“I’m Only Famous in a 20-Mile Radius”
“Having your own personal space and just finding ways to get away from it… those smaller sacrifices… made a big difference for me,” Johnston added. “Again “I’m Only Famous in a 20-Mile Radius,” Alistair Johnston said.
Currently, Johnston is on international duty with Canada, who have reached the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup under head coach Jesse Marsch. They face Guatemala this Sunday as they continue their quest for continental success.
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