Alistair Johnston braced for Celtic Roadrunner challenge as Bayern Munich draw pits him against old pal

Alistair Johnston knows Celtic need to put the brakes on a man so fast he’s known as the Roadrunner if their Champions League journey isn’t to hit the buffers against Bayern.

But the full-back insists the Hoops have built up enough of a head of steam themselves in Europe to believe they can match the Bundesliga giants step for step. Johnston is preparing to go toe-to-toe with his Canada international team mate Alphonso Davies on the flank after yesterday’s last 16 play-off draw pitted Brendan Rodgers ’ side against Munich.

Davies earned the nickname in Germany due to his blistering pace and dribbling ability and Johnston reckons his rapid rise from Vancouver Whitecaps over the last six years has been every bit as impressive. Voted into the world’s best XI before he even turned 20, Davies has already lifted the biggest honour in European football as well as five Bundesliga titles, four domestic cups, the UEFA Supercup and FIFA Club World Cup.

He’s just one of host of superstars in Vincent Kompany’s squad. But Johnston isn’t one for shirking a challenge. And the 26-year-old is adamant Celtic will tackle the Bavarian behemoths head on thanks to a growing belief that they belong on the big stage with his pal Davies.

He said: “It's not a ton of fun going against the speed and the technical ability that he has! But there'll be some good banter. He came through at Vancouver where I was born. We never actually played together or anything like that.

“But he's the captain of our national team. I’m kind of a part of that leadership group, so I try to help him out in any way possible. He's a really good lad and been thrust into the limelight from a very young age.

“He went over to Bayern Munich when he must have been 18, and