“I Thought…” Ally McCoist Details Meeting With Celtic Star Alistair Johnston

Alistair Johnston’s 2025/26 campaign was one of perseverance.

The Canadian international endured a frustrating season after suffering two hamstring injuries, spending much of the year travelling to a specialist in London in a bid to get back to full fitness.

Despite those setbacks, Johnston finished the campaign on a high.

He helped Celtic secure a domestic double before playing a key role in Canada’s historic run at the World Cup, reminding everyone why he is regarded as one of the club’s most important players.

During one of his rehabilitation trips, Johnston also bumped into Ally McCoist.

Speaking on Open Goal, the former Rangers striker and manager recalled meeting the Celtic defender while he was travelling back from London.

“I thought the big miss for Celtic last season was Carter-Vickers and Johnston, definitely.

“I actually met Alistair Johnston coming back up from London.

“He was struggling with injury and all that stuff; I think he was down getting an X-ray, MRI or whatever it was. Blethering away to him.

“He’s an impressive individual, and I thought, ‘Yeah, he could probably go again’.”

The pair could talk to a brick wall, so that conversation definitely lasted a wee while.

Both are renowned for their outgoing characters, and McCoist was clearly left impressed by the Canadian’s mentality during what was a difficult period in his career.

Johnston has since returned to full fitness and remains one of Celtic’s most valuable assets.

That has inevitably attracted attention from elsewhere, with Everton and Fulham both credited with an interest this summer.

However, Celtic are under no pressure to sell.

The 27-year-old remains under contract, is a key figure in Martin O’Neill’s plans and, following Daizen Maeda’s departure, has become one of the senior leaders in the dressing room.

It would take a truly substantial offer for Celtic to even consider letting Johnston leave, and as things stand, the expectation is that he will remain a cornerstone of O’Neill’s side heading into the new season.