Sam Johnstone was left stunned by the Ibrox atmosphere as he struggled on his Celtic derby debut against Rangers. The on-loan Wolves goalkeeper took the gloves from Viljami Sinisalo for the Premier Sports Cup showdown after keeping a clean sheet on his debut at McDiarmid Park.
The ex-England international pulled off a string of top saves, including a brilliant point-blank stop to deny St Johnstone from going in front. But the 33-year-old put in a jittery display as Derek McInnes' men demolished their rivals, and some fans have urged Martin O'Neill to recall Sinisalo for the Europa League clash with Ferencvaros and the Premiership showdown with the Light Blues this weekend.
Hart's warning on Ibrox atmosphere
Having made his first Celtic derby appearance at Ibrox, Joe Hart reckons his old England international pal and some of the new recruits will have been "shocked" by the atmosphere. Asked by Sky Sports if Rangers go into this weekend's league rematch as favourites, he said: "They were coming in with confidence and rightly so. But anything can happen in this games.
"I know that more than anyone. I remember playing my first Derby game, with only home fans. It's tough. I think that it might have shocked a few of them."
Hart's advice and belief in Johnstone
Hart recalled: "I remember being warned going up there. 'Are you ready for this' – I was like, you're kidding me. Of course I am ready. Then I remember the first five minutes thinking, jeez, this is a lot. But it's got to turn you on. And they've got a great opportunity on Thursday in the Europa League then a massive opportunity in the following couple of days at Celtic Park."
But he insists Johnstone will find his form. Asked if he felt the veteran can recover after a "nervous" display, three-time Hoops' title-winner Hart said: "Of course he will. The whole team were too nervous. The whole team felt it. It might have shocked a few of them.
"But sometimes you've got to credit the opposition. They came, they bought the atmosphere, they bought the intensity and they were on it. Celtic were slightly off it and that's all it takes in a game like that. So Sam will be absolutely fine."
