Celtic confident about sealing £3m deal, ‘great signing’ now very close

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Celtic are ‘confident’ that a deal to bring in Montreal CF and Canada ace Alistair Johnston will be completed with one of the World Cup’s breakout players expected to cost Ange Postecoglou’s side around £3 million, per the Daily Record. 

Did we witness the future and the soon-to-be past of Celtic Football Club on Sunday afternoon, as Canada took on Croatia with a place in the World Cup knock-out stages potentially on the line? 

Well, maybe that’s a bit extreme. 

Josip Juranovic is certainly attracting interest. And, while there’s nothing to suggest the Croatian is destined to depart once the New Year’s Eve fireworks fade into the midnight, Celtic are certainly aware that Juranovic, linked with Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and co, is not going to stick around forever. 

According to the Record, the Hoops always planned to use the World Cup break to find a potential replacement. And they didn’t have to look far; Juranovic’s opposite number at the Khalifa International Stadium looking increasingly likely to follow in his footsteps. 

Celtic set to sign Canada ace Alistair Johnston from MLS outfit Montreal CF

Celtic, Fabrizio Romano says, have reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with Montreal CF. Johnston is set to leave his current employers after just 12 months. But at least the MLS outfit can console themselves with a sizeable profit. 

Johnston will reportedly cost Celtic a fee in the region of £3 million. Montreal CF, in contrast, paid just £800,000 to lure the 24-year-old away from Nashville SC last year. 

“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 Colin 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. 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.”