Chris Sutton believes Alistair Johnston’s impressive displays for Canada at the World Cup could increase the likelihood of the Celtic defender attracting serious transfer interest this summer.
Although injuries disrupted much of his Hoops campaign, Johnston has returned to top form on the international stage, featuring in all five of Canada’s matches – including their 3-0 defeat to Morocco on Saturday night.
The right-back produced one of the standout individual performances of the tournament during Canada’s 6-0 victory over Qatar, with his expected assists figure of 1.28 in that match remaining the highest recorded by any player at this year’s competition.
Fulham have already been credited with an interest in the 26-year-old, but Sutton believes strong performances at the World Cup could encourage even more clubs to join the race.
Writing in the Daily Record on Friday prior to Canada’s last 16 game against Morocco, Sutton said: “Alistair Johnston will have the eyes of the globe on him tomorrow night.
“That must be an uneasy feeling for Celtic fans.
“At a time when the punters are desperate for news on incomings, the notion of more attention being placed onto their star names such as Johnston must send shivers.
“Johnston is one that fascinates me when it comes to whether or not Celtic get a big offers in this window.
“In many ways, having been signed by Ange Postecoglou during the last World Cup, he’s served his time and should not be denied a chance to go if the right package is put onto the Parkhead table having been there for three-and-a-half years.”
“But, at the same time, Johnston looks settled and, if I’m Celtic, I’d be doing absolutely everything to make sure he’s perfectly happy where he is and he goes nowhere.
“No harm to Anthony Ralston, Colby Donovan or even Julian Araujo, but none of them came close to giving the team what Johnston does during the Canadian’s injury absence last season.
“The difference when he came back for the final few games was obvious.”
“Johnston’s got so many attributes. He covers ground, he defends strongly, he’s good in the one-on-one duels, he seems an excellent character for a dressing room and he also has an ability to make things happen in the opposition half.
“If the Celtic fans and the pundits can see all that, then you can be sure top clubs in big leagues are also seeing it and helping his team into the last-eight of a World Cup by overcoming the African champions will only elevate his status.
“I’m sure the Celtic fans will be cheering for him to shine. Just not so brightly as to glare into the eyes of more scouts.”
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