United front

Photo: Picture by DARREN ROBINSON

BRAVE FACE . . . Athletic manager Lee Johnson gives a positive interview in the build-up to tonight’s game. .

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Time for us to pull together – Johnson

ATHLETIC boss Lee Johnson has challenged his players to forget the investigations into team-mate Cristian Montano and produce a show of unity against Chesterfield tonight.

The home area semi-final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy (7.45pm kick-off) is a crucial fixture for Athletic - with a big day at Wembley on the horizon.

And despite the negative publicity surrounding the club in the wake of the Montano spot-fixing allegations, Johnson is determined his side will deliver tonight.

“It’s my job to rally the troops,” he said. “I am sure the players have got that bit of desire, because there are three important games coming up quickly. Hopefully we can start with a show of unity tonight.”

Johnson revealed he went through a “full gamut of emotions” on hearing of the allegations against Montano.

He chose to confront things head-on at a press conference at Boundary Park before meeting his squad to draw a line under remaining rumours.

Admitting his shock at seeing video of Montano appearing to explain how he tried to get booked in a match at Wolves, Johnson will leave the legwork of the investigation to the authorities.

Montano, suspended without pay while enquiries continue, was taken into police custody on Sunday with five other men, including Blackburn Rovers striker DJ Campbell, after a probe by the National Crime Agency. All six have been bailed until April.

“Until we know the detail of it all, it is really difficult to judge,” Johnson said of the Montano issue.

“I went from being angry to feeling sick, to being upset to feeling sorry for him, to wondering if I was right or wrong.

“The more thoughts you have, the more emotions it generates. It has happened now and we all have to deal with it in our own way and pull together to get good results on the pitch.

“The truth is, we don’t know what has happened for him (Montano) to be in that room, talking about that. So I feel we have to step back from it.”

Johnson, who spoke impressively throughout, also made it clear the allegations shouldn’t tarnish the good work at Boundary Park.

“There is a lot to celebrate about this club and we have to make sure we don’t forget that,” he confirmed.

Johnson says a zero-tolerance approach to attempts to fix games is essential.