MICHAEL JOHNSTON reckons it was a case of practice makes perfect at Parkhead as he inspired Celtic to Glasgow Cup success.

The forward produced a match-winning performance on Tuesday night to help Tommy McIntyre’s side beat Rangers to the silverware.

A superb first half dead ball strike was the highlight and Johnston said: “I’ve been practising my free-kicks. I try and practice everyday but not too much just so I keep the legs fresh.

“I try to keep the technique the same all the time so it’s paid off. Yesterday they were alright so I think that’s why I got to take them tonight.

“A few of the first-team boys stay behind somedays just to go through shooting. Just specifics to what your position is but I like to hit free kicks.

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“All the best players who take free kicks will have put hundreds of hours into them. Keeping the technique the same I think is vital. It was good for me today to just try and do the exact same thing every time.”

Celtic boss Neil Lennon watched on as the Under-20s clinched a dramatic but deserved 3-2 victory.

Johnston dropped down from the first team squad to play for the second string and said: “I think at a big club like Celtic you always need to take responsibility on your shoulders.

“Especially in front of 60,000 fans you’re going to need to deal with the pressure well so I think it’s something you need to thrive on.

“This season I think I’ve had 20 games so it’s been a dream. I’ve been buzzing and hopefully more opportunities come if I keep working hard.

“I think I’ve got a better end product now to what it was before. I think I was getting into good opportunities and creating good chances at times but I was picking the wrong pass or dribbling at the wrong time. Maybe now that’s been refined. You need to be clinical if you want to play for Celtic. I hope so if I keep working hard then hopefully opportunities will come if the league gets wrapped up. The manager is always talking to me so hopefully they’ll come.”