Fabrizio Romano is backing up reports claiming that Scottish Premiership champions Celtic are ‘in talks’ to bring Canada’s World Cup right-back Alistair Johnston to Parkhead, writing on Twitter.
It’s not quite a ‘here we go’. Not yet anyway. But Postecoglou wasn’t lying when he said he planned to get a couple of new signings in the building even before the final stream of silly string hits the sky on New Year’s night.
Yuki Kobayashi signed on a five-year deal from Vissel Kobe this week; Celtic’s fifth Japanese player in the Postecoglou era. And 24-year-old Johnston could make it two January signings before the end of November, given the speed in which things seem to be progressing.
Celtic were only linked with Johnston for the first time on Wednesday night (The Sun). During Canada’s unfortunate and highly-undeserved 1-0 defeat to a shoddy Belgium at the Qatar World Cup.
Just 24 hours later, Fabrizio Romano was taking to Twitter to back up earlier reports suggesting that Celtic are ‘in talks’ to sign Johnston on a permanent deal.
Celtic could sign Canada’s Alistair Johnston after excellent World Cup display
Personal terms, Romano adds, have already been discussed. Now, it seems all that remains is for Celtic and Johnston’s current employers, MLS outfit Montreal CF, to shake hands.
The Vancouver-born full-back only joined The Impact a year ago from Nashville SC. Since then, he has established himself as one of the most exciting, all-action full-backs in North America; scoring four goals and setting up four more from a supposedly ‘defensive’ role.
Those attacking instincts were clear to see against Belgium too. Johnston had a stinging volley parried away by Thibaut Courtois and also provided a steady stream of devilish deliveries from the right-hand side.
“Depending on the opposition, sometimes he can play as a centre-back. (And) sometimes he can play as a wing-back,” explains Montreal coach Wilfried Nancy. “We like to change the way we play week by week. He is so clever that he is able to understand all the nuances in the game.
“For me, after that, it was a no-brainer that he can (also) play as a wing-back. What I like about him is that he’s able to understand quickly.”
Johnston, who cost Montreal a bargain £800,000, could be Josip Juranovic’s long-term replacement at Celtic. The Hoops are under no illusions that the Croatian is likely to be the subject of many offers in 2023. And they are certainly wasting no time in their pursuit of a ready-made successor.
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