MARVIN Johnson thinks Oxford United’s squad would be strong enough to compete with all but the very best in Scotland.

The winger spent 18 months playing for Motherwell before moving south of the border on transfer deadline day last month.

Johnson has been impressed with the quality in Michael Appleton’s squad and believes they could hold their own in the top half of the Scottish Premiership.

He said: “You’ve got Celtic, Aberdeen, Hearts and arguably Rangers now.

“They’d be no lower than the top six.

“Like everyone else the only games we’d really struggle with would be Celtic.

“We’d be strong contenders.”

Johnson sees similarities between the way United look to play and the top sides in Scotland.

He said: “They like to play, keep possession and create chances.

“You have to defend differently and they will cut you open if you don’t.

“We’re the same, we have boys who want to keep the ball and open teams up rather than lump the ball over the top every single time.

“It’s easier to be in a footballing side where you’re not constantly chasing the ball.”