Alistair Johnston’s return to Celtic colours for the domestic double triumph came at the perfect time.
Given Johnston’s injury issues during the recently concluded campaign, he made sure he was ready for Celtic’s title-defining post-split games.
He did what he does best, and that’s produce consistent performances, but Tony Watt is now worried about his future at Celtic.
Despite news that Martin O’Neill will stay for another season, Watt told Clyde 1 that he fears the champions of Scotland losing Johnston, especially given that he will be playing a home World Cup with Canada this summer.
“My worry now, looking from the outside in, would be Alistair Johnston,” said Watt.
“Going to the World Cup. What he did when he came back was just helped the team. I think he would be a massive miss if he goes.”
- READ MORE: Andy Walker expects high-profile Celtic trio to leave now that Martin O’Neill will stay at Celtic
Which players are likely to depart, given that Martin O’Neill will stay?
Join the debate, Celtic fans…🍀👇
Who else could leave Celtic this summer?
From Watt’s perspective, there are some obvious names that he doesn’t expect to be in Glasgow next season.
Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda jumped to mind straight away.
The former Celtic striker feels Maeda’s crazy post-split fixture form has put him in a situation where the powers that be at Celtic will ‘grant him his wish’ to play in ‘another top European league.’
But the one man who is on Watt’s mind is Celtic’s starting right-back.
Despite the emergence of Colby Donovan, the experience of Anthony Ralston, and even loanee Julian Araujo putting his name up in lights, there is nobody better than Johnston at the club right now.
“Maeda and Hatate will be away for me,” said Watt. “Maeda, what he did at the end of the season, they will grant him his wish to go and play in the Premier League or another top European league.
“My worry now, looking from the outside in, would be Alistair Johnston. Going to the World Cup. What he did when he came back was just helped the team. I think he would be a massive miss if he goes.
“Yang, he is another one who could have a good World Cup. He had a great season – I do think Celtic need to sign a lot of quality.
“But my worry would be if they lose Alistair Johnston, that would be a big blow. You saw how big he was for the team when he came back.”
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
