Celtic will not be playing in the Champions League this season.
Brendan Rodgers’ side are gearing up for a campaign in the Europa League, having stumbled in a disastrous qualifying defeat to Kairat Almaty.
It is the first time in four years that the Hoops won’t be in Europe’s premier competition, with the club no longer benefitting from automatic qualification through the Scottish Premiership.
Whilst the Europa League offers a more realistic chance of progression for a side of Celtic’s level, it does not offer the same level of financial benefit to the club’s bank balance.
And with Rodgers’ squad preparing for their league phase campaign to get underway next week, one Hoops player has been spotted at one of this week’s blockbuster Champions League fixtures.
Celtic star spotted at Newcastle’s match against Barcelona
This week was a rare one with no midweek fixture for Celtic, after last Sunday’s dramatic late win against Kilmarnock.
And for one Hoops star who was unavailable at Rugby Park due to injury, Thursday was all about the Magpies in European action.
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No one knows exactly why yet, but Alistair Johnston was the Celtic man in attendance at St James’ Park, and he was even mingling with the locals pre-match.
The game saw Marcus Rashford grab the headlines, with his first two goals for Barcelona sealing a 2-0 win. His second was a stunning strike, one of the goals of the tournament’s opening week.
It saw former Celtic manager target Eddie Howe’s side make a return to the competition after a one-year absence – they will be hoping to make the later stages of the tournament, having finished bottom of their group last time around.
Johnston’s allegiances were clear thanks to his bucket hat, which he donned in a selfie which has surfaced from @SockCouncil on X.
Why a guy from Canada is seemingly a Newcastle fan is currently a mystery – but posts from Johnston himself on X reveal that this isn’t a new allegiance.
Is Alistair Johnston a Newcastle fan?
His X account suggests so!
A few old tweets show a young Johnston cheering on the Magpies in the 2014-15 season – there’s no questioning his loyalty.
Given Johnston’s discussion of ambitions to play in the Premier League this week, he may achieve his dream of playing at St. James’ one day.
The Hoops faithful would much rather he did it in a European tie for Celtic – though that sadly won’t happen this season.
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