CELTIC has confirmed their SECOND January transfer signing, and we’re only in December! The Hoops revealed they have secured the signing of Alistair Johnston from Montreal to join Yuki Kobayashi as a winter signing.

The defender comes in after playing at the World Cup with Canada and can be registered to play in the SPFL on the stroke of midnight on Hogmanay.

Speaking to the Celtic Website, Alistair said:

 “When a club like Celtic comes calling, it will turn any footballer’s head, and especially for myself, growing up in a British household, Celtic was one of the clubs that is near and dear to our hearts. And for me, it’s one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“Just to hear that this was a club that was interested in me, and to see the project the coaching staff have and the progress that this team and this club continues to make in Europe as well, it’s really exciting.

“Ange really was the one who sold me on it. I think for every single footballer, you want it to be the perfect fit, and you want to go somewhere that, not only do you feel that you’re a part of something and you feel that you’re wanted, but at the same time, it’s a good sporting fit as well.

alistair johnston celtic
Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

“And based on what he said he’s looking to do with this squad and this club in the next couple of years, it felt like a perfect fit.

“He’s looking for young, driven players who want to take that next step and compete at the highest level, compete in the top stages of Europe and, for me, that was something which just called out to me and it felt right.

“From everything I’ve heard, he’s a top manager and his whole coaching staff have just got glowing reviews from everyone I’ve talked to, so that was another thing which was a big selling point for me on Celtic, and just absolutely made it a home run for me to make the move to Celtic Park.”

Alistair revealed his parents are absolutely buzzing about the move, so much so, they’re already looking at moving back from Canada to the UK.

“I tell you this, I think they (parents) are already looking at real estate to potentially move back over there,” he said.

“We’ve got a ton of family in Scotland and in Ireland as well, so they’re already looking at that, and that’s the dream, to be over there and watch their son play week in, week out in the Scottish Premiership, so it’s been really exciting.

“My Dad’s a huge football fan, and my mum’s from Northern Ireland, so there’s tons of connections there, and that’s also what made it a perfect fit.”

The 24-year-old has been progressing very well over the past few years and he’s now about to take a massive step up in terms of the stature of the club he plays for.

The right-back is coming in as the direct competition for Juranovic and Ralston. But there has been speculation surrounding Josip’s future. The Hoops could now look to cash in on the Croatian in the January window.

Celtic getting deals done so early is still jarring for those of us who have watched us stumble and argue over low amounts of money to get a deal done. We’re used to waiting for transfers right until the bitter end. We already have two in the door and Santa hasn’t even done his rounds. Long may it continue.

If you want to find out more about our newest signing, CeltsAreHere spoke to prominent Candian Journalist Peter Galindo earlier this week. Watch here.

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