Celtic are closing in on a ‘great signing’ with Montreal CF defender Alistair Johnston expected to join the Scottish Premiership champions after the Qatar World Cup, former Canada captain and Rangers ace Colin Miller tells the Scottish Express.
It’s amazing what an eye-catching World Cup performance can do for your reputation. Three days ago, barely anyone in Scotland’s second city would have recognised this Vancouver-born 24-year-old if they’d sat next to him at the bus stop.
Now, after a superb performance against Belgium on the biggest of stages, and with Celtic rapidly closing in on his signature, Johnston is all the rage in Glasgow’s East End.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Celtic have reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with MLS outfit Montreal CF. Johnston will arrive on a permanent deal, though it is uncertain at this stage how much he’d set the Hoops back.
His contract expires in December of next year, despite the fact he only moved to Montreal in an £800,000 deal from Nashville SC less than 12 months ago.
Celtic close to signing MLS and Canada ace Alistair Johnston from Montreal CF
“I think he is one who would suit the Scottish Premiership. He’s very quick, he’s very aggressive and I think he would flourish because of the type of player he is. He’s so competitive,” says Canada legend Miller, who had a brief spell at Rangers in the 1980s.
“As much as I hate to say it, I think he would be a good signing for Celtic.
“What you saw from Alistair in the Belgium game is what you will get in every game. He can undoubtedly play right back because he has the athleticism to get up and down, and he is also very ambitious going forward.
“And unlike so many defenders these days, he seems to really enjoy defending and he loves a tackle. As I say, he would be a great signing for Celtic.”
Johnston, who may be a long-term replacement for the much-coveted Josip Juranovic at Parkhead and admitted to being keen on a move to Scotland, scored four goals and set up four more in the MLS last season. He also forced Thibaut Courtois into a smart save with a stinging volley during Canada’s narrow 1-0 defeat this week.
Such attacking instincts will quickly endear him to Ange Postecoglou; a coach who expects a lot of attacking intent from his rampaging full-backs.
“It shows the progress these Canadian lads are making,” Miller adds, Johnston the latest North American talent to cross the pond.
“Stephen Eustaquio is playing every week for Porto and Alphonso Davies is at Bayern Munich. It’s great to see these guys at the top level of European football.”
‘I want to push the boundaries’
Montreal are likely to want a decent profit on Johnston, with his price-tag surely in the seven-figures.
“There is only so much I can say right now. But if an opportunity arises, sure,” he tells the 90th Minute.
“I am really happy at Montreal and we have a great thing going. But, at the same time, I want to test myself, and I want to see how high I can go.
“That’s something that, for all athletes deep down, is in our DNA. You want to be competitive and push yourself to play against the best and see how high you can go. We never want to look back at our career and have the, ‘What if?’ question. I’ve nightmares thinking about that.
“I want to push the boundaries of what is physically capable for me. If that means going overseas, and trying to see what kind of level I can play at, then so be it. We will see how the World Cup goes and we will see what happens after that.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
