With reports circulating this week that Alistair Johnston is on the radar of Fulham and several other English clubs, it is not unsurprising given the performances of the right-back this season for Celtic…
AJ has been superb domestically and he has also carried that good form into European football this term, linking up really well with another coveted Celt in Nicolas Kühn.
Both men are said to be receiving admiring glances from elsewhere and it could be a matter of when, not if, concrete interest in them develops. Johnston has been sensational in that right-hand side of defence for the club, after replacing the Bundesliga bound Josip Juranovic in the January transfer window of 2022.
Alistair Johnston hit the ground running with a debut at Ibrox
Johnston came into the fold at Ibrox on his debut and looked so comfortable and assured, you would have thought he had been playing there for years. Indeed, the Canadian full-back enjoys the physical side of the game by his own admission, and he has certainly proven he is more than up for the fight whenever the situation arises – whether in domestic football or on the Continent.
That’s not all he is though, as his creative side is most likely the reason those admiring looks are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. That partnership on the right side of the team with Kühn has been a marvel to watch at times this season, as both men have developed a wonderful, almost telepathic understanding on the pitch with one another, which has undoubtedly aided the cause for Brendan Rodgers in more ways than one.
Interest is reaching peak level
Now it seems as if interest is reaching peak level in the North American, with Inter Milan reportedly watching the defender ahead of a possible move for him this summer.
Interlive.it reports that the Italian club are looking for someone to come in and challenge Dutch wing-back, Denzel Dumfries, for a starting spot. They cite Alistair’s profile and age as being key factors in the interest, although they are well wide of the mark when they claim he would be allowed to leave for under €10 million. (That’s complete nonsense of course).
Tyre kickers, bargain hunters and time wasters
Celtic’s players are bound to attract interest with our phenomenal success and track record of buying and developing emerging talents from all over the world. Despite that fact though, none will be allowed to leave unless the appropriate fee is produced by these do called “bigger teams” and they aren’t wasting our time with derisory offers, much like some of the Matt O’Riley bids from certain quarters.
The reality is that every player at Celtic has a valuation that if met would almost certainly result in the club doing business. But there will be no bargains and Inter Milan or any other club on the prowl for a new right-back would have to look at a realistic valuation to grab Michael Nicholson’s attention. Half price offers will be laughed at.
Paul Gillespie
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£25m+ is absolutely the minimum we should accept BUT even then I’d love AJ to stay another season with Kuhn tearing up that right flank WITH KT and Jota/Daizen terrorising the left flank we would batter teams domestically AND in Europe, we don’t need the money and all players mentioned have long enough contracts to let Rodgers keep them for another season.