Miller insists he didn’t intend to injure Johansen

Stefan Johansen left Paradise in a protective boot yesterday, but former Celtic trainee Michael Miller insists he didn’t intend to hurt him.

The Norwegian midfielder was seen hobbling around Celtic Park in a protective boot on his left foot during the second half and after the game, yet referee Willie Collum didn’t even award a free-kick for the challenge.

As quoted by the Daily Mail, Miller said:

I thought he was coming in fairly quick, as well. I need to see it back but I didn’t try to do him, I wouldn’t do that.

At the time, I didn’t even realise he was injured. It was just at half-time, so we went up the tunnel and then I saw he’d been subbed when we came back out again.

Obviously I wish him a speedy recovery. It was just an awkward bounce of the ball, just unlucky.

Three first-half goals from Leigh Griffiths, Gary-Mackay-Steven and Callum McGregor secured a win for Ronny Deila’s side, who also commented on the challenge on his fellow countryman.

The challenge looked like it was a stretched leg, straight into his ankle. It was not good to watch.

It’s hard to say how he is. Hopefully it’s not a big injury and he didn’t twist anything. We will get more answers on that tomorrow.

In the end, Celtic comfortably dispatched Greenock Morton in the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup and were paired with Glasgow rivals Rangers in the semi-final at Hampden Park.

The two sides met last year for the first time in the Scottish League Cup as Celtic strolled past the Championship side who failed to even register a shot on target.

They will pose a greater threat this time around having showed their ability in their 4-0 rout of Dundee on Saturday.

Johansen’s prognosis is still unknown and the 25-year-old will be hoping to return soon in order to help Celtic challenge for another domestic double this season.