Everton are the latest Premier League club to be linked with a move for a Celtic player.
Online rumours have suggested that the Merseyside club could make an approach for Alistair Johnston as Nathan Patterson nears a move to Germany.
The news should come as no real surprise to Celtic fans; Johnston is undoubtedly one of the most likely players in their current squad to handle the step to the Premier League.
But, much like a certain Daizen Maeda was 12 months ago, he may be left disappointed if an exit is what he desires this summer.
Not bad from Alistair Johnston at the World Cup… 🔥
Celtic can’t afford to even consider selling Alistair Johnston this summer
To be absolutely fair to Johnston, there has been no inclination from any source that the Canadian is itching to get away from Glasgow in this transfer window.
Until this point, much of the speculation has been drawn from his excellent performances for his country at a home World Cup.
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In fact, Johnston appeared to drop a hint that he was staying at Celtic when he encouraged clubs around Glasgow to sign his brother back in May.
In interviews last year, however, Johnston didn’t hide his dream to play in the Premier League, though he did insist that he was happy where he was.
In Anthony Ralston and Colby Donovan, Celtic have depth in the right-back area, though most fans would agree that neither have come close to Johnston’s peak levels of performance in his absence.
After missing much of the last campaign through injury, the 27-year-old has unfinished business in Glasgow, particularly under Martin O’Neill.
As a senior member of his squad, he has a significant role to play as O’Neill builds the team in his image this summer. Selling him would give the Hoops boss another huge, unnecessary headache.
It’s also worth making peace with unlikelihood that the club will meet the wage demands or asking price for Julian Araujo this summer.
In an ideal world, Celtic would either have the conviction to sign Araujo permanently or be in a position to swiftly sign a younger replacement to be the next in a reliable player trading pipeline.
We are far from that ideal world.
It’s rarely a simple “one in, one out” with Celtic. The club have too much on their plate already for a sale of Johnston to be a remotely reasonable suggestion this summer.
🤔 Will Celtic’s co-operation agreements replace the B team in the long run?
Alistair Johnston on his Celtic future and Premier League ‘dream’
Speaking about his future last year, Johnston was high in his praise of Celtic, but admitted that playing in the English top-flight was a dream.
He said on the Park the Bus podcast: “If you were to say that I was able to finish my career at Celtic, it means that I’ve done something right.
“For a club of this magnitude to want to keep you in the building for that long.
“At the same time, I’m a player who has struggled when I’ve gotten satisfied or comfortable. I think that’s sometimes where my game can lag a little bit.
“The Premier League is a dream for pretty much every player, it’s the highest level you can play at. But luckily in my time at Celtic I’ve been able to play in some pretty big matches in the Champions League.”
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