‘I’m so proud’: Team-mate delighted with £4m ‘warrior’ set for Celtic move

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Canada and Montreal CF team-mate Kamal Miller admits he’s feeling a lot of pride as ‘warrior’ Alistair Johnston closes in on a £4 million move to Scottish Premiership champions Celtic, speaking to RDS. 

Ahead of the Qatar World Cup, most of the pre-tournament discussion surrounding the North American nation started with Alphonso Davies and ended with Jonathan David.

But, despite losing all three of their group-stage games, it’s fair to say most of John Herdman’s plucky Canada side will head home with their reputations greatly enhanced.

The silky Tajon Buchanan was a joy to watch out wide. Porto’s Stephen Eustaquio, meanwhile, dealt Kevin de Bruyne a sickening spoonful of his own medicine during that most undeserved defeat to Belgium.

And Miller certainly also did himself proud too; the 25-year-old colossus a rock at the heart of Canada’s three-man backline. 

25-year-old Miller will, however, have to do without his defensive partner at club level; Montreal CF team-mate Alistair Johnston closing in on a £4 million move to Celtic. 

Celtic are set to sign Canada and Montreal CF defender Alistair Johnston

“I’m so proud of Alistair,” Miller smiles. “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.”

The versatile right-back will become Celtic’s second January signing already, following Vissel Kobe ace Yuki Kobayashi.

And Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou, while keeping his cards relatively close to his chest, admits that Johnston is indeed one name on Celtic’s ‘radar’. The 24-year-old may act as a long-term replacement for the coveted Josip Juranovic at Parkhead.

Celtic may also need to find a successor for Giorgios Giakoumakis in the New Year. Contract talks with the Greek striker, the Daily Record report, have hit the buffers.