Alistair Johnston bids are said to be imminent, as Everton step up their pursuit of the Canadian defender with a Celtic-like lowball offer…
The Canadian full-back has been garnering interest in his talents for some time now, with Fulham thought to be long-term admirers of the Hoops star . Now it seems that they are not alone in their admiration for a player who is fresh off the back of performing extremely well at a World Cup tournament this summer with his country in North America.
AJ an Ange Postecoglou signing
Johnston of course has been at the club since the January of 2022, when Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou moved to bring him to the Hoops after another really strong showing at a World Cup in Qatar.
Alistair Johnston of Canada
Alistair Johnston of Canada arrives before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Qatar at BC Place Vancouver on June 18, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
After moving from CF Montreal in the American MLS league, AJ went on to replace departing Croatian internationalist Josip Juranovic at the time, who moved to Union Berlin in the Bundesliga.
Alistair had as good a debut as we’ve seen in a powderkeg atmosphere at Ibrox stadium, when he was pitched in straight away and handled the intensity of the environment and flourished in the physical duels he was involved in on that day in Govan.
Alistair Johnston is a stalwart at Celtic
That was the key marker that showed everyone from the off that there was something about him and so it has proved these last four-years, as he has become a stalwart and integral part of successive and successful Celtic sides.
Alistair Johnston of Canada
Alistair Johnston #2 of Canada is challenged by Oswin Appollis #7 of South Africa during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between South Africa and Canada at Los Angeles Stadium on June 28, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Stephen McGowan reports in The Herald though, that the Bhoys are anticipating imminent bids for the right-back from English Premier League side Everton, who are now light at the right-hand side of defence, with Seamus Coleman retiring from the game and interest in former Ibrox star Nathan Patterson growing too.
There’s some irony in David Moyes trying to lowball Celtic
David Moyes now appears set to target Celtic defender Alistair Johnston, who is said to be open to a move to England, should the correct opportunity arise.
The 27-year-old is contracted to Celtic until 2029 though and that means that the Scottish Premiership Champions should be demanding top dollar for one of their star men and experienced pros if we are going to entertain any sale.
£10m valuation for AJ is insulting
A fee above £10 million has been floated, but that would only buy one of Alistair Johnston’s legs and it should be booted into touch by the club immediately. The squad should be strengthened at this point, not weakened.
Celtic receiving a lowball offer for one of our top players has a certain irony to it. That aside Celtic are decent at getting good value for any outgoing transfers.
Yes, Daizen Maeda left for Ipswich Town last week for just £10m but he had just one year left on his contract and Celtic owed him his move after frustrating his exit plans last summer when Michael Nicholson had to pull his agreed move to Wolfsburg due to failings in the transfer market.
Celtic should be in no hurry to sell AJ
Alistair Johnston has three years left on his deal and Celtic should only consider a sale at an appropriate price and that should be double Everton’s lowball rumoured offer. Celtic should be in no rush to sell AJ this season, a point that Martin O’Neill should be making to the Board.
That only changes if there’s an offer they can’t refuse and the Everton valuation makes it very easy indeed for Celtic to say thanks, but no thanks.
Paul Gillespie
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