Celtic are said to be bracing themselves for incoming bids for Alistair Johnston after the Canadian’s World Cup performances…
The 27-year-old was in great form for his country at the home tournament this summer and he put in some pretty impressive performances along the way, en-route to making history by qualifying for the Round of 16.
Unfortunately, AJ and his compatriots fell gallantly at that point in the knockout stages to a very slick Morocco side that had already put Scotland to the sword in the group stage.
Those displays from Johnston and also his general consistency for Celtic since Ange Postecoglou brought him to these shores from the MLS, where he was playing with CF Montreal, have seen interest soar in the Canada international now ahead of the new campaign beginning in August, when we will face-off against Dundee on Flag Day on Monday 3rd.
That has given the support another headache throughout the rest of the transfer window, as we are already facing a major rebuilding job as it stands, with several big names heading for the exit or wanting to depart the football club.
Daizen Maeda is heading for a £10 million move to Ipswich Town, whilst Reo Hatate has informed the club of his wishes to leave and questions remain over the futures of Benjamin Nygren and captain Callum McGregor – who changed his agent lately too.
To lose Alistair Johnston would be a major hammer-blow, considering the upheaval that will be ongoing already, and now Record Sport have confirmed that the Hoops are bracing themselves for bids arriving for the Canadian right-back in the coming weeks ahead.
Everton boss Davie Moyes is said to be a keen admirer of the athletic full-back, whilst Fulham have also held a long-standing interest in the defender too.
Should the club even contemplate selling Alistair Johnston in this window, it would need to be for an offer that we simply can’t refuse. AJ is far too important an asset to lose for easy come English Premier League money and we should command well in excess of £20 million for the player.
The first thing we should do is immediately move for Julian Aruajo, so that Alistair Johnston’s ready-made replacement is already in the building, if he does leave this summer.
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Paul Gillespie
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1 Comment
Was always facing the prospect of losing both AJ and Maeda during this window?
Would be our biggest loss imo, any others could be replaced easier, than what AJ and Maeda provided over recent seasons, especially with our title winning run in last season?
However, we did have to operate with large chunks of AJ being unavailable, and Maeda not interested last season also?
So our team can’t be all around certain individuals either, no matter how big of a player they may be, within our squad?
We have become to reliant upon individual players, especially with such a squad game in operation these days, with the footballing calendar that’s in place now?
Expecting players to be at full capacity and consistent, over a 60 plus match season, with internationals, is to much to be expected from them imo?
The quality factor between 1st and 2nd choice player’s in positions, can be to high, which isn’t helped by the 8 homegrown requirements in operation, for forming a squad?
Becoming more noticeable, and highlighting the fact of how poor we remain at actually developing players?
We need more players like Donovan to challenge ralston, even if they can’t match the standards AJ has set in the position?
But they have to be able to preform within the SPFL, to relieve the workload of a player with the quality AJ possess also?
That is the growing requirement that is needed, especially for teams such as ourselves, involved within the extended European football competition in place now?
So wouldn’t begrudge AJ or Maeda seeking better fortunes elsewhere for themselves, especially as they have given us such great service, while representing our jersey whatsoever?
If it happens for AJ, then so be it, just hoping his replacement can provide the similar service for ourselves, which is a big ask with the quality factor AJ has as a player imo?