Johnston on 'great sign' and cup final fitness race

Celtic defender Alistair Johnston believes it's a sign of progress that his side leave Croatia disappointed to only have taken a point against Dinamo Zagreb.

Johnston was replaced at the interval after sustaining a hip-flexor injury in the opening half, but played his part in keeping a clean sheet and earning a ninth Champions League point of the campaign.

"It's a great sign," the Canada right-back said.

"I think since I've got here, that was one of the big things I've been told and has been pushed to me.

"We want to make strides in Europe and to think now that we're coming to away matches, it doesn't matter who the team is, but we are a little disappointed we only got to draw.

"I think that is a sign of things to come and again there's still levels to go because we know we do have the quality in this team to have found a winner there, but at the same time it wasn't our night."

Johnston hopes to be fit for Sunday's League Cup final at Hampden against Rangers to add to his impressive medal haul since joining Celtic.

"I didn't want to do any more damage, potentially, and we weren't really sure exactly what's going on with it," he said of his injury. "We'll get home and have a good look at it.

"That's a match that's circled on the calendar, it's one I want to be a part of to have a chance to lift the trophy.

"It's the first trophy of the season. It's something we'd love to add to our collection, end this calendar year on a on a high note."