Alistair Johnston

Is it really £6m, fk me that's a lot.

 

That's it game's a bogey. Get Ange tae *.

 

Imagine if he was coming in for competition to JJ instead of instantly replacing him.

 

Where are 6 million reports coming from?

 

It was €6m and it’s transfermarkt value rather than the likely fee we will pay for him. I think it will be likely closer to half that figure we will be paying.

On the game today I thought the Canadian shape played into Croatia’s hands when they tweaked their own shape. The right wing back ahead of Johnston was nowhere to be seen pulling him out wide and creating spaces between him and the central, centre back of their back three.

Johnston didn’t have a good game but I think this was enhanced by the lack of support and cover he got in the shape they were playing. He will be a full back in our system where based on his highlights he looks a lot more comfortable.

 

Record reporting a 3m fee.

 

Celtic are confident World Cup ace Alistair Johnston will be on the way after thrashing out a deal with Montreal FC worth up to £3m.

The Hoops are understood to have agreed terms with the MLS outfit for the promising full back – who has caught the eye with his displays in Qatar with Canada. The 24-year-old squared up with Celtic defender Josip Juranovic in Doha on Sunday, with the Croatian coming out on top in a 4-1 win. But Johnston has been tipped as a possible replacement for the right back – with Juranovic stalling over a new deal and expected to be on the move in January or at the end of the season.



Celts boss Ange Postecoglou has already lined up centre back Yuki Kobayashi from Vissel Kobe to check in on January 1 and Johnston is now set to join the Japanese star once formalities are completed in Scotland. The former Nashville SC product – who will pocket 10 percent of the transfer fee – will not face any work permit issues as he has a UK passport through his Northern Irish mother.

Johnston previously spoke of his pride at being linked with the Hoops as he dropped a major hint the deal was in the works before the weekend. He said: “It’s an honour just being linked with them, my phone’s been blowing up. To be linked with a club like Celtic is obviously something I think every footballer is excited by.




It’s one of the most passionate fan bases in the world. It’s a club that even people who don’t follow football know who it is. I’m super excited to get linked to them. “But right now, the focus is just solely on the national team. Club things, that will get figured out once January hits.”

Juranovic has attracted attention from England and Spain since last summer and Celts are braced for concrete bids when the transfer window opens in January. The £2.5m signing from Legia Warsaw is understood to be in no hurry to leave but is keen to explore his options with a contract extension at Parkhead yet to be signed.

 

As the article say, I also think he'll be here to compete with JJ rather than replace him in January.

 

Think JJ will be here until the summer, good to get this lad in and settled before we lose Jura.

 

I think there will be speculation linking him away all January and he will be away on deadline day like Eddie last summer

 

Although I wouldn't judge him on two games alone, I would argue that's the level we should judge players on if we want to progress at Champions League level. Johnston gives me the impression we stagnate a bit here. Would rather have a clear upgrade to Ralston if Juranovic really moves on.

 

Anyone else getting slightly triggered by the name? Completely unnecessary but I can’t help it, it’s too staunch

It’s a real possibility I never take to this lad due to the name. He could become the new Cafu and I’ll still spend every second of his time here, trying to rip my arm off just so I have something to throw at him.

 

Did Juranovic stand out at the Euros for Croatia last year? I'm not being snide but did people take notice of him? Genuine question

 

So we're you impressed with his top class display against Belgium and all Canada's qualifiers where hes been one of their top performers? Or do you just judge players by one bad game? If that's the case De Bruyne must be the worst player on the planet

 

Been catching up on his games to see what he's all about. From what I've seen so far, he's really handled himself well against the likes of Hazard, Pulisic, Rodriguez (NYC, decent wee player imo) and didn't give that Napoli lad Lozano a sniff against Mexico. That's a decent standard of player he's been up against and aquitted himself well.

Wasn't good against Croatia, but that was a collective team collapse. Have a good feeling about this guy...

 

Have you seen his middle name?

 

and he turned out not bad...

 

Can't see that happening at all, we don't need 3 right-backs. Juranovic will be away in January.

 

Thought the laddie was abysmal yesterday.

Caught out of possession more times than I can remember, and looked completely out of his depth.

 

I'd give him lots of leeway yesterday as Canada were completely overrun by a classy Croatia team.. The entire Canadian team were out of their depth.

Also he seemed to be playing as center half when things went pear shaped and they tried chasing the game.

Defo won't be judging him on that game..