max game to mix it with lille’s remy
MAX JOHNSTON knew he’d hit the big time with Sturm Graz when he went head-to-head with a star he used to sign on FIFA.
The Scotland Under-21 ace was handed a surprise start for the Austrians against Lille in the Europa Conference League last-16 tie in France last week.
A 1-1 draw wasn’t enough as they bowed out 4-1 on aggregate.
But Johnston, preparing to face Kazakhstan in tonight’s crucial Under-21 Euro qualifier, says tackling former Newcastle and Marseille wide man Remy Cabella had him thinking he was back on the computer controls.
He said: “It came as a surprise to play against Lille. Those are the type of games you want to be involved in.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t get through but it was a great experience.
“I was up against Remy Cabella who played for Newcastle and Marseille.
“I used to sign him on FIFA all the time! I texted my dad after the game to tell him.
“He was a better player on FIFA than in real life!
“I really enjoyed the game. We didn’t have much of the ball but it was a great experience.”
Johnston was a late sub as Graz thumped Klagenfurt, featuring ex-Hearts midfielder Andy Irving, 4-0 on Sunday. Christian Ilzer’s side sit two points off leaders RB Salzburg going into the play-off stage.
And the right-back, who left Motherwell last summer, insists his bold decision to leave home at 19 is paying off, even if his game time has been limited to mostly appearances off the bench.
He said: “I understood Sturm Graz have a rightback who has done very well – Jusuf Gazibegovic, who is a very good player.
“But they’re the kind of players I want to be competing with, I want to show I can do that too.
“It’s been a good season and I have played in games I’d never have got if I hadn’t gone. I wouldn’t change it and I’m really enjoying it.”
Johnston’s full focus is now on tonight’s clash against Kazahstan with Scotland looking for a win to strengthen their grip on second spot in Group B.
A call-up to Steve Clarke’s top team ahead of the friendly defeat in France last October came as a surprise. But he knows the best way to keep in Clarke’s thoughts is to continue impressing for Scot Gemmill’s Under-21s.
And Johnston added: “When you get a taste of it you want even more. So I took it as motivation to work even harder.
“I really enjoy coming away with the 21s as well. But of course if I ever got the call from the first team it would be amazing.”