Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou is delighted with the addition of Alistair Johnston to his squad after the club announced their second signing of the winter transfer window.
Johnston, who has recently starred at the World Cup with Canada, has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at the Bhoys after a deal was agreed upon with MLS side CF Montreal.
It comes after another early move for Yuki Kobayashi, formerly of Vissel Kobe in Japan.
Explaining the thought process behind the transfer, Postecoglou told the official club website: “I’m delighted. He’s someone we identified pretty early on as somebody we think can add to our club. He’s had an interesting career path where he’s had to work very hard to get to where he is, and we’re very happy to conclude the deal and knowing he was going to the World Cup, I think he performed well there as well.
“He’s really keen to come across and take the next step in his career, and I think he’ll be a great fit in our dressing-room, and he’ll definitely add something to our football as well.
“He’s predominantly played on the right side of defence, at centre-back or right-back. He’s very good technically, very good going forward and also a really strong competitor and he doesn’t mind the physical aspects of the game, and as I said, I think he’ll add something to our club.”
Johnston very much looked to be an energetic, forward-thinking right-back at the World Cup but it is interesting to note Postecoglou thinks he has some versatility as a centre-back too. He has played there 11 times for Montreal, as part of a three-man defence.
With Kobayashi also arriving at the club as a left-sided defender, the option to field a back-three is increasingly looking viable for Postecoglou if he is minded to shake things up on occasion or keep opponents guessing.
However, the expectation is that Johnston provides immediate competition for Josip Juranovic and Anthony Ralston, both of whom have impressed supporters over the last 18 months.
Good luck Alistair and welcome to Celtic!
In other news, Celtic B storm to 5-0 Saturday win.
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