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<p>Exclusive Interview</p>
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<p>Max Johnston's career is rapidly ascending following an incredibly successful few months, making this summer a pivotal time for the gifted 22-year-old. He earned the Scottish Football Writers' Young Player of the Year title in 2023, becoming the latest Scottish talent to venture abroad for exciting opportunities. Despite interest from Celtic and Rangers, the Motherwell star chose to join Sturm Graz for €350k. It was a brave decision at just 19 years old, as Johnston sought to immerse himself in a new culture in Austria while developing at a club known for nurturing young talent.</p>
<p>Though it took time to secure a starting position, Johnston excelled last season, catching the eyes of major European clubs and earning his first international cap for Scotland. After a 13-year drought, Sturm Graz broke Red Bull Salzburg's dominance, clinching two consecutive titles during Johnston's tenure. However, given the interest from clubs across Germany, France, and Italy, it seems unlikely he will remain with Sturm Graz next season. In an exclusive interview with <em>Transfermarkt</em>, Johnston expressed his aspirations to play at the highest level, aligning with Sturm's strategy of developing players before selling them for profit.</p>
<h2>Max Johnston Exclusive Interview</h2>
<p>“I aim to reach the highest level possible,” Johnston shared with Transfermarkt. “I am determined to keep advancing in my career. I believe I’ve demonstrated my capabilities during my two seasons here and performed well in the Champions League. Sturm’s initial plan was to develop me so I could take the next step. They have successfully sold players in the past, so I knew it would be a great fit for me.”</p>
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<p>Johnston's market value increased by €2.5 million on Transfermarkt last season, reaching a current valuation of €3.5m, with Sturm Graz's asking price around €3m this summer. While he is interested in opportunities in England, he prefers to stay in continental Europe, with significant interest from Germany, France, and Italy. Augsburg was keen on Johnston before he signed with Sturm, and their interest persists. Mainz and Union Berlin are also monitoring him as Bundesliga teams closely follow the Austrian leagues. Notably, Ligue 1 sides Lens, Toulouse, and Reims are tracking Johnston, alongside growing interest from Italy.</p>
<h2>Max Johnston: Napoli Joins the Race</h2>
<p>Transfermarkt understands that Serie A champions Napoli are considering Johnston for a potential transfer. With Giovanni de Lorenzo as Napoli's captain and Italy's right-back, Johnston could offer competition for the 31-year-old and join fellow Scots Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay in Naples. Several Scottish players have thrived in Italy recently, and Aaron Hickey's success at Bologna inspired Johnston during his move to Sturm Graz.</p>
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<p>“When I first decided to go abroad, I looked at players like Aaron and saw how successful he was at Bologna,” Johnston remarked. “As a full-back, he excelled before moving to the Premier League. Many Scottish players have performed well abroad, especially in Italy, which motivated me. I believed there must be opportunities abroad that are promising for young Scottish players, so I wanted to take the chance. I feel I've greatly improved since moving to Austria. It was essential for me to learn and experience new things, and I feel I achieve that every week. Leaving home at 19 was challenging—many don’t realize that. They see the football aspect and assume everything is perfect, but it can be tough. I've developed significantly in Austria, both as a player and a person.”</p>
<h2>Max Johnston: Champions League Experience and Jamie Gittens</h2>
<p>Last season, Johnston accelerated his growth through competing in the Champions League. He started four games during Sturm's challenging campaign and notably shone against Borussia Dortmund's wonderkid Jamie Gittens. Johnston regards Gittens as the toughest opponent he has faced but relished the chance to compete against world-class players. “Playing in the Champions League was always a goal of mine, and now that I've had a taste of it, I want to play at that level continuously. It was incredible to start a few matches in the Champions League, particularly at iconic venues like Borussia Dortmund. The atmosphere was just as amazing as I imagined, with the fans being fantastic, especially the yellow wall,” he reflected.</p>
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<p>On Gittens, Johnston stated: “He’s an exceptional talent, linked with big clubs like Chelsea. He was certainly the most technically skilled player I’ve faced, and I enjoyed the challenge. It's crucial to acknowledge the level of your opponent while maintaining confidence in your own abilities.”</p>
<h2>Max Johnston: Competing for Scotland's Right-Back Spot</h2>
<p>After winning the domestic double in his inaugural year at Austria, Johnston clinched another title last season, having made his Scotland debut against Greece in March and his first international start against Iceland earlier this month. For years, the challenge for Scotland's manager was figuring out how to accommodate top-class left-backs Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney on the same team. Now, it’s the right-back position where Scotland has exciting competition, with Johnston battling Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson for the spot.</p>
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<p>“Competition is positive,” Johnston acknowledged. “Regardless of the club or national team, competition is always present, and it’s beneficial. We have several talented right-backs at the international level, and I embrace that rather than see it negatively. Starting my first game at Hampden in front of my family and fans was a dream come true, despite the tough result. It was a proud moment for me.”</p>
<h2>Max Johnston: Reflecting on Motherwell and Lennon Miller</h2>
<p>Johnston emerged from Motherwell's youth academy, which has a strong history of providing opportunities to young players—unlike many other Scottish clubs. With Lennon Miller among Scotland's top young talents, Johnston has offered the midfielder guidance ahead of his expected move this summer.</p>
<p>“Absolutely, I encouraged him to consider a move abroad,” Johnston shared. “I told him it's been an incredibly enjoyable experience for me, and going abroad was the best decision I made. I genuinely believe he would love it. Motherwell is a great club for trusting young talent, as shown by Lennon’s success this year. Before me, there were players like David Turnbull, Allan Campbell, and Jake Hastie, which reassures young players that they are in the right place.”</p>
</div>Scottish Star Max Johnston Attracts Attention from Napoli and Bundesliga Clubs
