Alistair Johnston is back in training after being spotted at Lennoxtown alongside his Celtic teammates prior to the squad heading out to Italy for the inaugural Como Cup…
Concacaf Gold Cup-Group Stage-El Salvador at Canada Jun 24, 2025 Houston, Texas, USA Canada defender Alistair Johnston 2 controls the ball defended by El Salvador midfielder Jairo Henriquez 17 in the first half during a group stage match of the 2025 Gold Cup at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston Shell Energy Stadium Texas USA, photo Maria Lysaker
The right-back was given additional time off after featuring in the CONCACAF Gold Cup with Canada, co-hosts of the tournament with the United States.
After Canada’s surprise quarter-final exit to Guatemala on penalties last month, Johnston missed the squad’s pre-season fixtures against Queen’s Park, Cork City, Estrella da Amadora, Sporting Lisbon and Newcastle United.
Both the Canadian and Cameron Carter-Vickers are the two senior members of the Brendan Rodgers’ side who have missed the entirety of pre-season so far.
Celtic new Japan striker Shin Yamada is unveiled during the pre-season friendly match between Celtic and Newcastle United at Celtic Park on July 19, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Also joining training for the first time was new recruit Shin Yamada, who was presented to the Celtic supporters before kick-off against last weekend’s Premier League opponents Newcastle. The forward arrived from J-League side Kawasaki Frontale in a £1.5 million deal.
Johnston and Yamada both looked upbeat as the squad trained in preparation for the Como Cup, with their opening fixture against Dutch giants Ajax kicking off this evening.
Meanwhile, a host of players look set to depart Celtic over the coming days. South Korean midfielder Kwon will undergo a medical in France to secure a permanent deal with Ligue 1 club Nantes.
Celtic v Wolves – Kwon Hyeok-kyu left battles for the ball during the pre-season friendly match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Saturday July 29, 2023. Photo Brian Lawless
Kwon became a Celtic player in 2023 alongside his compatriot Yang Hyun-jun, arriving from K-League 2 side Busan IPark, while Yang was signed from Gangwon FC to join the Scottish champions.
Despite having loan spells at St Mirren and Hibs, Kwon’s time at the club has been non-existent and has career at the Scottish champions now appears to be over.
Adam Montgomery and Liam Scales of Celtic are seen at full time during the Premier Sports Cup Quarter-Final match between Celtic FC and Raith Rovers at Celtic Park on September 23, 2021 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
In other news, Adam Montgomery, who has been involved in Rodgers’ squads for pre-season is set to join Scottish Premiership newcomers Livingston on a season-long loan deal. Also, Championship side Partick Thistle are eyeing a double deal for Celtic B team players Kyle Ure and Josh Clarke.
Conor Spence
Read this – The backstory to Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter
Thank you to everyone who has already pre-ordered the late David Potter’s last ever Celtic book, Celtic in the Eighties, which will be published on the fifth day of September by Celtic Star Books. The link to pre-order your copy is below…
Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, out 5 September 2025. Available to pre-order now.
Como cup is important part of Rogers Build up the Champins league Qualifying im sure he would like to have 2 or 3 new signings but they will come in last week of signings where sellers drop there price or buyer lowers theirs but its usual done im sure hed loved it done to have these players training or playing in Italy