Jump to content

Alistair Johnston


lazlo_80

Recommended Posts

9 minutes ago, baulderdash77 said:

Great news that it’s official now.  It’s a great club level for Johnston.  It’s also great that we have another Canadian playing with a perennial Champions League team.

Perennial is bit of an overstatement considering this year was Celtic’s first time in the competition for 6 years.

But i’m still really happy for him that his hard work is paying off

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Alistair Johnston: I spoke to Ange and knew immediately that I wanted to come to Celtic
Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor celticfc.com December 3 2022

Alistair Johnston did not have to think twice about joining Celtic when the opportunity arose.

The Canadian internationalist, after representing his country at the World Cup in Qatar, is now heading to Paradise, having signed a five-year deal with the Scottish champions.

With plenty of Scottish and Irish family connections, over and above the number of Celtic supporters in Canada, he was already well aware of just how big a club Celtic are.

And having spoken with Ange Postecoglou, he knew that Paradise was the place he wanted to be. So it was the easiest of decisions to sign for the Scottish champions.

The 24-year-old defender will meet up with his new team-mates next weekend when they return from their training camp in Portugal, and he’s already looking forward to his new football challenge in Scotland.

Speaking exclusively to Celtic TV, Alistair Johnston 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.

“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.”

Johnston is naturally delighted at having signed for Celtic, and that has been replicated by his family, who are looking forward to seeing him pull on the green and white Hoops.

“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.”

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Celtic delighted to sign Canadian internationalist Alistair Johnston on five-year deal
Celtic Football Club celticfc.com December 3 2022

Celtic are delighted to announce the signing of Alistair Johnston, who has joined the club on a five-year deal from MLS side, CF Montreal.

The 24-year-old Canadian internationalist, who recently played for Canada in their three World Cup group games at the tournament in Qatar, will meet up with his new team-mates at the end of next week.

After a season with Nashville SC, Alistair joined CF Montreal in December last year, making 39 appearances and scoring four goals. He has also been capped 33 times by Canada, scoring one goal.

Speaking of his latest signing, manager Ange Postecoglou said: “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.”

Everyone at Celtic welcomes Alistair to the club and wishes him every success at Celtic.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some people have been talking about where Johnston had played and I think this is what makes him extra special.  Although I doubt he could play CB in a back 4.  He was an excellent RB for Nashville in a back 4.  He was exceptional as a RWB for Montreal this season and he’s been an absolute rock for us as the RCB in a back 3 for us with Canada.  His level has never really dropped regardless of where he’s playing.  Super happy for him.  Great guy, great family.  He’s earned this.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Joe MacCarthy said:

...After a season with Nashville SC, Alistair joined CF Montreal in December last year...

The phrasing is awkward, as he was with Nashville for two seasons.

 

Also, it is funny to me that Alistair's #CanMNT career started after Scotty's final #CanMNT cap so these Celtic vs Rangers rivals have not met each other. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now

×
×
  • Create New...