Max Johnston stunned by Sturm Graz rise to prominence as he reveals secrets behind path from Cove to Champions League

It’s Thursday afternoon and Max Johnston is sitting in a hotel in Bergamo, Italy.

Seven hours before Sturm Graz’s crucial Europa League group game against Atalanta, he’s got some time to reflect. A year ago this week he was at Gayfield, playing his part in getting Cove Rangers a vital Championship point in a 1-1 draw with Arbroath. A snapshot of how football, and life, can change dramatically in the space of 12 months. In the distance, just 30km from where he is now, are the famous Bergamasque Alps. Which is quite fitting, given the scale of Johnston’s stunning career climb. But the most impressive thing about this 19-year-old kid isn’t what he has achieved so far in such a short space of time.

It’s his humility to recognise that he’s nowhere near the top of the mountain yet – and his hunger to get there. Johnston is embracing his new life in Austria after leaving Motherwell in the summer. Moving away from home to a city where you don’t speak the language isn’t easy. But he’s already been pitched in against the likes of PSV and Sporting Lisbon in Europe.

He’s knocking at the door to start in coach Christian Ilzer’s team, who are challenging for the Austrian title. And last month Steve Clarke gave him his first Scotland call-up for the friendly against France.

It would be easy for Johnson to sit back in this Italian hotel and feel a sense of satisfaction at how far he has come. But instead he sees it as just the beginning.

In an exclusive interview with MailSport , Johnston said: “I feel as if I’m kicking on now and hopefully this can be the start of something special.

“When I was out on loan at Cove and Queen of the South, these were the moments I visualised in my head. This is what I’ve always wanted.

“But I