Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston has revealed the secret behind the competitive streak to his game.

The Canada international has played 15 times for the Hoops since joining from MLS side CF Montreal in January.

He has not been afraid to jump out of a tackle at Parkhead and the 23-year-old credits club captain Callum McGregor with installing the will to win in the team.

Speaking ahead of the Scottish Premiership match against Kilmarnock, he said: "It's the foundation of my game to a degree. You have to have technical ability to be playing at this level. 

"But if you take away my desire and my competitiveness I'm not nearly the same player as some of the guys. 

"I know what I need to bring if I want to play for Celtic. It's part of me, it comes back to my family, my childhood - growing up in a family of three boys where I was the middle child and everything was a competition, a battle.

"In sports too, playing hockey. It's a huge thing for us growing up in. Canada. We love to hit people and get in to it but its also about camaraderie. 

"If you hit one of my players, one of the most skilful guys, it's my job to go and back them up.

"You could see it with the national team, we've brought on that identity. I try to bring that to Celtic. 

"You can see it with Cal (McGregor). I think in the last match I got knocked over and I turned around and he was already in there pushing someone for me and I was like 'Mate, that's my job! Get out there'"

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