Max Johnston’s rise from Cove Rangers to Champions League
Prior to Cobh, Johnston spent a season on loan at Queen of the South, where he was managed by his father Alan, who made 18 appearances for Scotland as a player.
“I was lucky enough to get my first loan spell in the Scottish Championship,” recalls the right-back. “Obviously, it helps a lot that my dad is the manager.”
ok but what is that real Prefer being managed by your old man?
“He just doesn’t talk sometimes when we’re not getting the best results,” Johnston joked.
“I would be in the car thinking, ‘This is going to be brutal’. But it’s something I’ll never change. It’s a moment I’ll always cherish, playing under my dad.”
Light-heartedness aside, Johnston’s time at Palmerston gave him a new appreciation for senior football and paved the way for his first-team Premiership experience.
a report A report released by the Scottish Football Association in August said Scottish clubs were failing to bring in enough young players.
Johnston’s former club Motherwell, an academy graduate, is one of a handful of top clubs who are making an impact.
The right-back played 20 games for Fir Park in the second half of the 2022-23 season, opening the door for a move to Sturm Graz when his Motherwell contract expires at the end of the season.
Johnston’s decision to move to Austria in the hope of developing his career was inspired by the likes of Lewis Ferguson, Aaron Hickey and Josh Doig, who all benefited from moving to Italy.
Their fellow Scots enjoyed similar success in Graz.
“I’ve seen Lewis, Josh and Aaron succeed,” he added. “Players like this have taken a step abroad and it’s successful for them.
“So, that was a key part of my decision to try something different and be brave and do it. Why not? It was a no-brainer.”
