Everton are said to hold transfer interest in the Celtic star.
One pundit has claimed that there are rumblings that a deal to take one Celtic star to Everton is on - as the Premier League side eye alternative options.
The Merseyside club watched Alistair Johnston in action for the Premiership champions on Monday night as they defeated Dundee 1-0 in their league opener. Johnston has been a standout right-back for Celtic since arriving in January 2023, and while last term was marred by injury, he returned with impressive form and a good World Cup with Canada to boot.
That has sparked Premier League interest and Everton manager David Moyes is said to be a fan. There are others being looked at with right-back a key position Moyes wants to sort after long-serving Seamus Coleman’s exit but talks have taken place with Celtic over their Canadian international.
Alistair Johnston to Everton latest
The Athletic state: “Everton have continued their interest in Celtic’s Alistair Johnston as they look to strengthen at right-back. Merseyside sources have played down suggestions of a formal bid for the Canada international, but talks have taken place between the two clubs. Celtic’s valuation is expected to be around £15million. Everton have explored other targets for the priority position, with RB Leipzig’s Germany international Ridle Baku another who has been considered.”
Former Everton star and Scottish football pundit James McFadden meanwhile claims to have heard that a deal may be a goer. He said on Sky Sports: “The noise is that he will go, and you can't blame him, because Everton are a big club. They're playing in the Premier League. From the point of view of being an ex-Everton player, I think it’s tremendous.
“I can see why David Moyes is interested in him because of how good he is, how consistent he is, what he brings to the team, how good he is going forward and defensively and that's why a team like Everton are interested in him.
Alistair Johnston has been a top performer for Celtic.placeholder image
Alistair Johnston has been a top performer for Celtic. | Getty Images
Will Celtic sell Alistair Johnston?
“The worry would be that Nicholas Kuhn was sold, he wasn't replaced. Kyogo wasn't replaced in January, they were happy or content to go into a play-off for the Champions League underprepared in terms of the squad, understrength. They can't do it again this season and that would be the concern. You know there's interest in Daizen Maeda when he leaves, Kasper Hogh comes in, and maybe that could be the direct replacement in terms of being a striker.
“You know there's interest in Alistair Johnston, Arne Engels, is there people that are ready to come in and replace them? Because you need to replace them, but also the squad still needs strengthening, whether they stay or go. They still need to strengthen the squad. It is going to be interesting to see what happens but if you play at a level then teams are going to want to come in. As a manager, the biggest thing is being ready for the departure, to get players in to replace them. That's the biggest thing.”