There was some surprise when Alistair Johnston’s name appeared on the teamsheet for Celtic’s Premiership opener against Dundee.
With the Canadian continuing to be linked with a move to the Premier League, many wondered whether Martin O’Neill would play him if a transfer was close.
Instead, Johnston started as Celtic opened their title defence with a 1-0 victory.
He wasn’t the only player whose future remains uncertain.
Arne Engels also featured despite growing speculation over a move to West Ham, who are pushing to sign the Belgian after their relegation from the Premier League last season.
As the full-time whistle blew, Johnston took part in the traditional lap of appreciation, applauding supporters around Celtic Park.
It was a familiar sight, but one that also raised an intriguing question.
Could it have been his final appearance in front of the home support?
Everton remain the frontrunners for the 27-year-old, with reports suggesting the Premier League side are preparing a £15m offer after Johnston’s outstanding World Cup performances with Canada.
Should a deal progress quickly, Monday night’s win over Dundee could prove to have been his final outing at Paradise.
Former Scotland international James McFadden believes Celtic should be in no hurry to sanction the move.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said:
“I don’t think that there’s any rush for Celtic to sell him. I don’t think there’s any need to rush it.
“They either wait till after the Champions League or they wait till they get a replacement.
“If they know that Alistair Johnson, when he leaves, there’s someone ready to come in or they can get someone in before him, then absolutely fine.
“If there’s not a replacement ready before he goes, no, I wouldn’t.”
It’s a view many Celtic supporters are likely to share.
Johnston has been one of the club’s most consistent performers since arriving from CF Montréal and remains a vital part of O’Neill’s plans.
With Champions League qualification on the horizon and the transfer window still open, Celtic are under no pressure to sell.
The defender also has three years remaining on his contract, leaving the Scottish champions in a strong negotiating position.
Whether Monday’s victory over Dundee was Johnston’s final appearance at Celtic Park remains to be seen.
Uncertainty remains, but if a move to Everton gathers pace in the coming days, supporters may look back on Flag Day as the last time they saw one of their most influential players in green and white on home soil.
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One Response
There is no way Celtic should be considering the sale of Johnston, especially for the low-ball sum of £12-15m. He has 3 years left on his contract and Celtic must say “he’s not for sale”. The greed of this Celtic Board has to be stopped. As far as AJ is concerned, he simply has to be told that while Celtic appreciates his ambitions, he’s tied to the club for at least the next 12 months. I think he’d be fine with that. No way can Celtic sell him at this stage of the transfer window, especially given the greed and incompetence of the Celtic Board. We will never find a quality replacement in time, even if they were prepared to spend, which they won’t be.
All these big players Celtic are being linked to are being put out there by the Board to make the fans believe they’re trying to recruit quality. It’s all smoke and mirrors, they have no intention of spending on quality players. We all know the script by now – they are so transparent in their fakery. The window will close without the necessary quality having been added. That’s not a prediction, it’s a fact established by precedent.