Monreal CF vice-president Olivier Renard admits that the MLS outfit could not stand in Alistair Johnston’s way as the Canada international seals a £3.5 million move to Celtic, speaking via iHeart Radio.
One of the worst kept secrets in football (well, Scottish football at least) was finally confirmed on Saturday.
Johnston, from unknown quantity to the talk of Glasgow town in a matter of days, has agreed a deal that will see him join Scottish Premiership champions Celtic for an initial fee of around £3.5 million (Sky Sports). The versatile right-back, who can also play in a more central role, joins the Hoops on a five-year deal, and could replace the much-coveted Josip Juranovic should the Croatian depart after 18 months at Parkhead.
“I’m delighted,” Celtic coach Ange Postecoglou tells the BBC of his latest recruit. “(Johnston is) someone we identified pretty early on as somebody we think can add to our club.
“He’s had an interesting career path where he’s had to work very hard to get to where he is. And we’re very happy to conclude the deal. I think he performed well there (at the Qatar World Cup) as well.”
Celtic agree to sign Canada international Alistair Johnston from MLS outfit Montreal CF
MLS outfit Montreal CF only signed Johnston 12 months ago in an £800,000 deal from Nashville SC. While they will not have been planning to lose the Canada international so soon, the club’s vice-president admits that this was one of those occasions where they simply could not stand in a player’s way.
“I want to thank Alistair, the man, for his professionalism and his mentality in everything he has done with the club,” explains Renard. “But also the player, who has brought us a lot on and off the pitch. For Montreal and the national team.
“He’s an example of the way we want a player to evolve once he joins our team; with clear ideas, while giving everything for the team. When an opportunity with a big club such as Celtic arises, we listen to our player.”
Johnston, who set up four goals and scored four of his own during the 2022 MLS season, will take some replacing at Montreal CF.
“I’m so proud of Alistair,” admits Montreal and Canada team-mate Kamal Miller. “It’s almost a shame that I had to play with him. I wish I could have sat in the stands and seen what the rest of the planet was seeing.
“On the field, he is the warrior par excellence. And he deserves everything that is happening to him right now. In fact, I think everyone is a little late! He’s been ready for this moment for a long time.
“But for him as for a guy, like (Ismael) Kone, the timing was perfect. They were able to increase their value thanks to this tournament.”
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