TWO English teams are tracking one of Celtic’s stand-out performers this season according to a report.
And more suitors could be set to join the queue.
Alistair Johnston joined Celtic two years ago.[/caption]
He’s since gone on to make 100 appearances, hit 50 caps for Canada and captained the Hoops[/caption]
Fulham boss Marco Silva isn’t alone in having interest in the wing-back[/caption]
Football journalist David Ornstein revealed Hoops defender Alistair Johnston was the focus of ‘firm interest in January’ and named two clubs who were keen on the Canadian international.
However, he also expects more to step up their own transfer interest in the 26-year-old in the summer.
Johnston saw team-mate Matt O’Riley move to Brighton for £27m last year and made his 100th appearance for Celtic on Tuesday night in the 5-1 win over Aberdeen.
And he could be next as his name came up in discussions when The Athletic writer was fielding questions in an ‘Ask Ornstein’ online Q&A this week.
There was a heavy English Premier League focus – but Johnston’s interest from south of the border was mentioned.
Johnston appeared on the FifaBest 77-name long-list for the team of 2024 after starring for club and country.
And Ornstein said: “Fulham have recruited well in recent times and it’s showing in their performances under Marco Silva.
“I know Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston is generating attention from clubs in England, with Fulham among his admirers.
“The Canada international recently signed a new contract at Parkhead and isn’t known to be unhappy – but there was firm interest in January.
“From what I hear, it’s not only Fulham but also Ipswich and others who are looking at him.
“Johnston was longlisted for the Best FIFA Men’s XI last year, so this is probably no surprise, and I’d expect more suitors to emerge from the Premier League and across Europe in the summer.”
Celtic snapped up Johnston from CF Montreal after his appearance at the 2022 Qatar World Cup for Canada.
He was signed for around £3 million by Ange Postecoglou and immediately replaced Josip Juranovic – sold for a tidy £8m and netting the Hoops around £5m profit.
However Johnston has often spoke of his love of Celtic and Glasgow, once telling FourFourTwo: “Being a part of this club’s story gives me goosebumps.
“You can’t get your head around how massive and special this club is until you’ve seen it for yourself.”
The right-back added: “In Nashville and Montreal I could walk through the streets and not get any abuse. Over here, every single person knows who you are and they either love you or they hate you,
“If I go out, it’s normally under pretty heavy disguise!
“I’ve had my fair share of pep talks and scoldings from grandmothers on the street.
“The passion for the sport, it’s second to none.
“It’s something I’ve learned, that I’m not going to be there for ever so cherish it while you are there because it’s not normal — and it’s not normal to a lot of cities in the world and it’s not normal to a lot of players, no matter what club you play for.”
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