Hunger Games

Johnston hell-bent on starting New Year exactly same way he finished the old one

- MICHAEL GANNON

THE reaction from some in the blue half of Glasgow suggested Celtic should have been wearing masks at Hampden as they sneaked off with the League Cup trophy in their swag bag.

A section of Rangers fans felt it was a robbery job, a smash and grab shoot-out after their side should have won a penalty.

It almost got lost amid the fallout that Celtic had also more than contributed to an epic final and came out on top.

That kind of narrative could eat away at some - and be used to sprinkle some extra spice on to the next encounter.

Any time Celtic feel they have been slighted they tend to issue major statement slap-downs to put the record straight.

Alistair Johnston insists there's no need to pin any headlines up on the Lennoxtown walls though.

The Hoops ace doesn't need to get wound up any more - as he's already running hot ahead of Thursday's latest Old Firm showdown.

And Johnston is adamant that how Hampden unfolded means nothing to this Celtic side who are hell-bent on starting the New Year the way they finished the old one.

Johnston said: "We're not too focused on past results. As soon as you step out there you feel the energy, the passion, even in the days leading up to it.

"It doesn't raise it any more - it's always at the maximum level of motivation.

"Whatever happened in previous matches doesn't weigh too heavily on our minds.

"I think this team does one of the best jobs I've ever seen of putting a previous result behind them, whether it's positive or negative, and focusing on the next one.