ALISTAIR JOHNSTON has told Celtic he wants to join Everton, according to a report in the Liverpool Echo.
The local media outlet understands the popular Canadian World Cup right-back is keen to quit Parkhead and move to the Merseyside club.
Martin O’Neill admitted Davie Moyes, the Premier League side’s boss, had made contact to inform the Irishman his club would be in touch about making an offer, as stated in CQN last week.
Johnston, a £3.75million buy from MLS outfit CF Montreal in January 2023, put in his usual solid performance in the champions’ 1-0 opening win in the Premiership over Dundee in the east end of Glasgow on Monday evening with an Everton representative looking on.
ADVERTISEMENT
HAMPDEN HOORAY…Alistair Johnston celebrates Celtic’s Scottish Cup triumph in May.
No transfer fee for the 27-year-old defender has been revealed, but there have been reports of a lowball £14million bid which will be booted out by Celtic.
West Ham had a similar fate last week in their undervalued move for £25million-rated Arne Engels.
O’Neill has made it abundantly clear that Scotland’s title kings are in no rush to sell Johnston with the £40million winner-takes-all Champions League play-offs against LASK coming up, the first leg due in Glasgow a week on Wednesday and the return in Austria six days later.
The transfer window closes on September 3 with the Hoops actively attempting to add quality to their two signings so far, £11million-plus Kasper Hogh, from Bodo/Glimt, and Camilo Duran, from Qarabag.
ADVERTISEMENT