Max Johnston knows precisely the level of dedication it will take to break the big time.
He saw it EVERY morning at Motherwell when bumping into early riser Allan Campbell. Johnston thought he’d show off his committed streak as a teen hopeful by arriving long before training time for extra work. But he NEVER beat Campbell into the gym before the rest of his colleagues.
Campbell, 24, is on the brink of cracking the English Premier League in his second season at Luton Town. He has helped the Hatters make Saturday’s Wembley play-off final against Coventry. In-demand Johnston could be next for a breakthrough move away from Lanarkshire. And he knows following the example set by “wee Al” was one of his smart ideas. The 19-year-old said: “He was always the hardest worker in training. He was really good with me, really dedicated. Wee Al was a great example to me at that age. Look how far he has come on. I’m delighted for him –everyone at the club is.
“We all talk about how well he’s getting on. That pushes all the young boys who can think: ‘He’s done it, so why can’t I?’
“There are never any shortcuts. You just need to dedicate your life to it and work extremely hard. That’s what wee Al has done.
“When I was 16 I’d come in really early because I wanted to make a good impression. Wee Al would always be at the gym already. I’d be thinking: ‘What time does he come in? And when is he actually waking up?’
“I’d get in about half eight for a 10am start and he’d STILL be in before me. I always remember that because it made me think: ‘This is the day I’m going to be first in.’ And it just never happened. I reckon he just slept there.”
Johnston has scooped the SFWA Young Player Of The Year award after a stunning second half of the season for the Steelmen. He started the campaign on loan at Cove but couldn’t be held back any longer from Well’s first team.
The right-back rates last year’s stint at Queen of the South, then six months at Cove Rangers, as shrewd career moves. But three years ago he thought he should’ve been straight into the Motherwell first team.
Dad Allan, the ex-Hearts and Rangers winger, put him right and pleaded for patience. Johnston said: “I was confident coming back here from Cove. Mind you, I’d felt as if I was ready when I was about 16!
“That was just me believing in myself – I think you need to as a player. I’d got a taste of the first team when I’d just turned 17.
“After that I was buzzing and wanted it every week. You’re a young boy thinking: ‘I can do this.’ You just want to take on the world. Dad and everyone around me told me to be patient, wait my time, and that’s when I got my loans. I feel I made the most of them. My dad was right all along, he normally is – he knows his stuff.”
Johnson Snr played in France for Rennes and going to the continent could be an option for his star son. He has attracted interest from Sporting in Portugal as well as a fleet of English clubs.
He said: “Playing abroad would be amazing. You have to try something different sometimes. If that chance comes I’ll think about it. For now, it’s about helping Motherwell finish as high up the league as possible.
“I really enjoy it here and it’s such a good place for me. But there is always a chance of moving on. The most important thing is playing every week. I’ve spoken to a few boys the same age and they are frustrated if they’re not playing.
“But I also think you have to take a chance and go where you’re out of your comfort zone.”
● Max was speaking as he collected the 2023 DoubleTree By Hilton SFWA Scottish SPFL Young Player Of The Year award.
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