Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Derby County new boy Max Johnston admits his legs turned to jelly when he thought his pal had bought a red card against him as Scotland took on Denmark.
Johnston had only just come on as a substitute in Copenhagen when he contested for a long ball against fellow Sturm Graz and Motherwell old boy Mike Biereth, who now plays for Monaco.
He took a nudge from the Dane and the ball bounced off his arm – and had to subsequently face a nervous VAR check because he had been the last man in the defensive line.
Referee Daniel Sibert had initially awarded a free-kick to Denmark and booked Johnston but was summoned to the pitchside monitor to review the incident. In the end, however, he stuck with his initial assessment, Johnston stayed on the pitch and helped Scotland secure a 0-0 draw.
Johnston, who joined Derby late last month, told reporters at full-time: “When it went to VAR, my legs turned to jelly. I did not think it was a red card myself, but I am just so happy VAR saw it that way too.
“I thought (when it was reviewed): “You have got to be joking”. I jumped and he pushed me while I was in the air. The ball hit me on my sleeve there (on the shoulder).”
He added when asked if he thought Biereth was trying to get him sent off: “Definitely. He knew what he was doing. It is part of the game. There are no friends on the pitch, but it is all gone now.
“I played alongside him at Sturm Graz, too. I am actually quite pally with him but not anymore. If he texts me after this I will not be replying to him.”
The pair did have at least one exchange at the end of the game.
Johnston, when asked who he had swapped shirts with, said: “My pal Mika, but I am going to put it in the bin I think after that.”
Will Johnston be a good signing for Derby? Have your say HERE. This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Sky Sports deal Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
£35
Sky Get Sky Sports here
Every day, the DerbyshireLive football desk strive to deliver all manner of news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of Derby County content.
Our dedicated reporter Leigh Curtis – who you can follow on X by clicking here – follows the Rams home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between.
So much happens day to day and sometimes you can struggle to keep on top of the very latest updates as and when they occur – that’s why we have produced a daily newsletter which you can sign up to, for free, and which means you’ll have a round-up of the key stories land in your email inbox. Sign up to the Derby newsletter here.
You can also get all your favourite content from DerbyshireLive’s Rams team on WhatsApp. Click here to sign up for breaking updates about the biggest stories in and around the club.
If you prefer reading our Rams stories on your phone, consider downloading the DerbyshireLive app, in which you can personalise the content you see by selecting Derby County as one of your designated topics. You can get it from Apple here and for Android here.
