2 # Alistair Johnston / Abwehr

[Gollum]

Alistair Johnston: I spoke to Ange and knew immediately that I wanted to come to Celtic

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.”


Celtic TV - First Interview and Full Media Conference with new Bhoy Alistair Johnston

[Gollum]

- Alistair Johnston's Celtic credentials in focus by Rangers favourite as he earns glowing Danny McGrain comparison
It breaks Colin Miller’s heart to admit it. But the former Rangers defender reckons Celtic have signed a gem in Alistair Johnston. A full back in the mould of his old adversary Danny McGrain no less. And while the 24-year-old has a long way to go to even get close to the Hoops icon, Miller reckons the £3million signing from CF Montreal has what it takes to become a fans’ favourite at Parkhead in his own right.

- New Celtic signing Alistair Johnston given Man United legend comparison by ex-boss as he tells fans what to expect
Johnston has earned plenty of admirers from his recent displays. One former youth team coach has even insisted fans looking for a guide to his playstyle should look no further than Old Trafford hero Gary Neville.


Klingt, ebenso wie seine ersten Aussagen gestern, erstmal durchaus vielversprechend.

[Gollum]

Johnston hat sich bisher wirklich groĂźartig in die Mannschaft eingefĂĽgt und die Nachfolge von Juranovic nahtlos ĂĽbernommen. Und am letzten Wochenende gegen St Mirren jetzt auch sein erstes Tor fĂĽr Celtic geschossen (ab 2:38).

Celtic TV - Alistair Johnston On The Match | St Mirren 1-5 Celtic

Auch in Interviews macht er bislang einen sehr guten Eindruck:

BARRY FERGUSON reckons Alistair Johnston is too intelligent to be a football player
The Canadian defender only sealed his Celtic switch in December but it feels like he's been a part of the squad for years after settling into life in Scotland so quickly.

[Gollum]

BARRY FERGUSON reckons Alistair Johnston is too intelligent to be a football player
The Canadian defender only sealed his Celtic switch in December but it feels like he's been a part of the squad for years after settling into life in Scotland so quickly.

Apropos intelligent:

Celtic TV's Quickfire Qs with Alistair Johnston

Das Format ist ganz unterhaltsam, und besonders eine Antwort fand ich witzig, bei der Frage nach seinem liebsten Schulfach antwortet Johnston (ab 1:40) tatsächlich Mathe und Physik.

Irgendwie hat er optisch ja tatsächlich bisschen was von einem Nerd...aber eben nur, bis man ihn dann mal beim Tackling sieht!

[Lubo]

Wusste ich gar nicht...

Ohne Fußball wäre er Architekt oder Anwalt geworden...

Alter Schwede... Mal eine inspirierende Abwechslung so ein Spieler.

Genialer Schachzug, ihn rechtzeitig zu holen und JJ ziehen zu lassen

[Gollum]

Alistair Johnston Celtic injury return timeline revealed after Rangers Scottish Cup blow
The Hoops defender was forced off during the semi-final against Rangers at Hampden last weekend following a 50/50 challenge with Borna Barisic. It left the Canadian in crutches at full-time but it didn't stop him from celebrating in front of the fans inside the stadium after the 1-0 win over their rivals. And supporters will be delighted to hear that they should have the 24-year-old ready for the Hampden showpiece on June 4.

[McCeltic]

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/foo ... g-30055884

[Gollum]

Alistair Johnston dealt Celtic injury blow as defender set to miss start of the season
ALISTAIR JOHNSTON looks set to miss the start of Celtic’s season. The injured Canada right-back has yet to begin training with Brendan Rodgers’ squad. The 24-year-old suffered an ankle injury in the Scottish Cup semi- final against Rangers in April but recovered for the final victory against Inverness. Johnston then went on international duty and started games against Panama and the USA, but he came off after an hour against the States and coach John Herdman later admitted he was still “carrying an injury”. Four weeks on, Johnston has not returned to training.

[McCeltic]

Wieder im Training.

[Big John]

Ganz wichtiger Spieler…. Hat Juranovic vergessen gemacht…. Jura wer?

[Lubo]

Steht mit Kanada im Halbfinale der Copa america!

[stonybhoy]

Am Ende wurde es dann "nur" Platz 4 - Niederlage gegen Uruguay im ElfmeterschieĂźen.

Alistair spielte von Beginn an und wurde nach einer Stunde durch Alphono Davis ersetzt.
Er kommt sicher mit breiter Brust zu uns zurĂĽck.

[McCeltic]

Wichtig fĂĽr uns CCV und AJ kommen fit wieder von der Copa Amerika zurĂĽck.

[McCeltic]

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/foo ... r-33647773

[Armin_Bhoy]

https://www.celticfc.com/news/2024/november/22/alistair-johnston-signs-new-celtic-contract/

Alistair Johnston signs new Celtic contract

Celtic Football Club is delighted to announce that it has agreed a new contract with Canadian internationalist Alistair Johnston which will run until the summer of 2029.

[McCeltic]

Ein vorzeities Weihnachtsgeschenk fĂĽr mich. Top Spieler in unseren Reihen.

[McCeltic]

Unser Trainer zu AJ


Brendan Rodgers has issued an injury update on Celtic defender Alistair Johnston.

The defender has been absent in recent weeks since the club's Premier Sports Cup triumph over Rangers.

The right-back had to go off in that game and hasn't been back in action since, with a 0-0 draw at Tannadice on Sunday followed up by a 4-0 victory at home to Motherwell today.

However, Rodgers insists that, while the Canadian won't be rushed back, he should be okay to make the trip to Ibrox next Thursday, with a return against bottom of the table St Johnstone a possibility this Sunday.

"He should be okay for the weekend," Rodgers said post-match. "We were hoping it was going to be today.

"But he's been out running, he's been out working, doing some really good work. So rather than force it, Tony's done great for us and comes into the game and does really well.

"We don't need to force it."

[Armin_Bhoy]

Der soll sich am Sonntag nochmals schonen und dann im Derby beginnen.

[Armin_Bhoy]

Fällt 12 Wochen aus....

[Dinamo Baden]

Fällt 12 Wochen aus....

Man will ihn intern ersetzen und nicht auf dem Markt Ausschau halten

Brendan Rodgers Provides Alistair Johnston Injury Timeline; Celtic Will Replace From Within | Latest Celtic News
August 22, 2025
Celtic have been dealt a significant blow with confirmation that Alistair Johnston will be sidelined for around 12 weeks following the injury he sustained against Kairat Almaty.

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Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Kilmarnock - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - April 12, 2025 Celtic's Alistair Johnston arrives at the stadium before the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
The right-back was stretchered off in the first half of the Champions League qualifier at Celtic Park after pulling up off the ball, and now manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed the diagnosis, a long-term absence that will keep the Canadian out until at least November.


Rodgers: Johnston out for 'about 12...

Speaking to media, Rodgers revealed he will be looking internally to cover Johnston’s position, rather than immediately rushing into the market for a replacement. That means the likes of Anthony Ralston and possibly Colby Donovan may be called upon to fill the gap in the coming weeks.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the manager said: “Not great, he’ll probably be about 12 weeks, so yeah, he obviously had his scan yesterday, so yeah, it’s disappointing for him because he’s come back and started well, so that’s where we’re at.

“I think when you lose any player, especially of that calibre, then, of course, it is a disappointment, but it’ll provide an opportunity for someone to step in.

“We know we have Tony, I’ve got young Colby Donovan, who, as a young player here, has really impressed me over the time I’ve been back here.

“In this last 12 months, he’s made great strides, so yeah, it’s always an opportunity for someone. But, of course, for Ali, we just want to make sure that we’re in a really good position in all competitions when he gets back.

“It’s my first look. My first look is always inside and that’s something that will gain more clarity over the next week or so, but that’s certainly my first look.”

It’s a huge blow for both player and club. Johnston had only recently returned to full fitness and was beginning to re-establish himself as a key part of the backline. His injury comes at a time when Celtic are already thin on depth in several areas, particularly across the back four.

Rodgers has been clear about the need for reinforcements this summer, but Johnston’s absence now forces the manager to reshuffle again, with the derby looming and the Champions League tie finely poised ahead of Tuesday’s second leg in Kazakhstan.

Celtic’s decision not to strengthen earlier in the window has come under increasing scrutiny, and the pressure will only intensify now that one of the club’s most reliable performers is ruled out for the next three months.

Tees for Tims


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