**Celtic boss Martin O’Neill has confirmed Everton’s interest in Alistair Johnston.**
Johnston is currently David Moyes’ latest candidate to fill the right-back position at Hill Dickinson Stadium following Seamus Coleman’s departure.
The Canada international lifted nine trophies in four years at Parkhead despite missing large parts of the previous campaign through injury.
A recurring hamstring problem restricted Johnston to just 11 appearances in all competitions for the Bhoys as they closed in on a fifth straight Scottish title.
O’Neill revealed on Friday that the Blues made a tentative approach for the 27-year-old but was unable to expand on the latest status of negotiations.
He said: “Everton have been in contact and I’m not sure whether there’s been a bid in there for that one, but they’ve been in contact saying that they would be.
“In fairness, David did call me last week and saying that there would be contact. But I don’t know how far that has progressed, if it has at all.
“That would be disappointing, obviously. But I suppose it’s to be expected, you know, players who have done well.”
Meanwhile The Friedkin Group have injected fresh cash into Everton.
A Companies House filing confirmed the Americans invested £38 million which is expected to cover the club’s potential PSR compensation pay-out.
June’s landmark ruling saw [Everton ordered to pay £35M to Burnley](https://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/everton-fc/65896-everton-lose-psr-dispute-to-former-rival/) as part of the fallout from their 10-point deduction for financial breaches in 2021/22.
Although the penalty was reduced on appeal, the panel found in the Clarets’ favour after they argued against their relegation at the end of that season.
Everton, who warned the ruling set ‘a dangerous and unworkable precedent’ after the public announcement, are in the process of appealing the decision.