Celtic have been dealt arguably their biggest blow of the transfer window so far, with one of their most important and reliable players formally asking to leave the club.
The Bhoys are already navigating a turbulent summer that includes the confirmed exit of Daizen Maeda and the increasingly likely departures of Reo Hatate and Arne Engels.
Now, the situation surrounding key right-back Alistair Johnston has taken a dramatic turn, with reports confirming that the Canadian international has requested a move to Everton.
Talks between the two clubs are ongoing, and while Celtic have already rejected previous approaches from the Merseyside club, the latest developments suggest that a deal could still be reached.
For a side preparing for crucial Champions League qualifiers and facing a significant squad overhaul, the potential loss of Johnston represents a serious setback at the worst possible time.
Johnston Asks to Leave Celtic
Until recently, it appeared that Alistair Johnston was settled and content to remain at Celtic Park.
The full-back had established himself as a consistent performer under previous managers and had shown strong commitment after returning from a lengthy injury absence.
However, according to the Daily Record, Johnston has now asked to leave the club in order to join Everton.
The Toffees have already seen multiple offers turned down by Celtic, yet they remain hopeful of securing a deal in the region of £14 million. Celtic, for their part, are expected to hold firm for a higher valuation.
It would come as a genuine surprise if the Glasgow side accepted anything less than £15 million, and many observers believe the club would be fully justified in demanding closer to £20 million for a player of Johnston’s quality and experience.
Johnston is a proven, high-level full-back who recently delivered an excellent performance at the World Cup. That international display came on the back of a successful domestic campaign in which he played a key role in helping Celtic secure both the league title and the Scottish Cup following his return from a long-term injury layoff.
His reliability, athleticism, and ability to contribute both defensively and going forward have made him one of the more valuable assets in the current Celtic squad.
Those close to the player suggest he is the type of character who would adapt quickly to the physical and tactical demands of the Premier League. His straightforward style of play, combined with a strong work rate and solid technical foundation, means he is well-suited to the intensity of English top-flight football. For Everton, securing a player of his calibre at a relatively modest fee by Premier League standards would represent smart business.
Why This Move Could Be Particularly Damaging for Celtic
The potential departure of Alistair Johnston arrives at a moment when Celtic can least afford further disruption. The club already faces several gaps across the squad that need urgent attention. So far this summer, only two new signings have been completed, leaving supporters and many within the game concerned about the lack of progress in strengthening the team.
Losing a player of Johnston’s consistency would create yet another significant hole that the recruitment team would need to fill quickly. Finding a ready-made replacement capable of matching his output both in domestic competition and in European matches is far from straightforward. There is little confidence among the Celtic support that the club can identify and complete the signing of a suitable alternative in the short time remaining before the season intensifies.
The timing makes the situation even more problematic. Celtic’s Champions League qualifying campaign is just around the corner. The first and second legs against Austrian side LASK are scheduled for 18 and 25 August respectively. Losing Johnston before those matches would be a huge blow to the squad’s preparations and could force manager Martin O’Neill into difficult tactical adjustments at a critical stage of the season.
In addition to the right-back position, Celtic also require greater depth at left-back. Kieran Tierney remains a key figure when fit, but the squad lacks sufficient cover and competition in that area. The combination of potential exits and limited incoming business has left the Bhoys looking short of options across the defensive line heading into a demanding campaign that will feature both domestic and European commitments.
What Martin O’Neill Has Said About the Johnston Situation
Celtic boss Martin O’Neill has addressed the possibility of key players departing and the desire to retain important members of the squad for as long as possible, particularly with European ties approaching. Speaking recently on the broader transfer situation, O’Neill made clear his preference for stability during the qualifying rounds.
“Ideally that would be brilliant, that would be really good,” O’Neill said when asked about keeping players until after the play-offs. “We wouldn’t know if the other clubs would want to pursue that, if that was the case. I’m quite sure that anybody starting off in their own particular leagues would want their players in as soon as possible.”
Pressed further on the specific hope of retaining Johnston and others until the Champions League qualifiers have been completed, the Celtic manager reiterated his stance: “Ideally, that would be brilliant, that would be really good. We wouldn’t know if the other clubs would want to pursue that, if that was the case. I’m quite sure that anybody starting off in their own particular leagues would want their players in as soon as possible.
“But ideally, that would be great. I think that’s one of the things we’ll definitely be looking at. I seriously could not say for sure. You’d have to take the players’ thoughts into consideration and maybe the other clubs.”
O’Neill’s comments underline the difficult balancing act Celtic face. While the club would prefer to keep established performers available for the crucial ties against LASK, the reality of modern football means that player ambitions and the financial interests of other clubs often take precedence. The manager’s measured response suggests he is prepared for the possibility that Johnston may not be available for those important European matches.
The Wider Context of Celtic’s Transfer Window
Johnston’s request to leave is the latest chapter in what has already been a challenging transfer window for Celtic. The confirmed departure of Daizen Maeda has removed one of the side’s most dynamic attacking threats, while the expected exits of Reo Hatate and Arne Engels would further deplete the midfield options. These potential losses come on top of the natural need to refresh and strengthen the squad after previous campaigns.
Supporters have grown increasingly frustrated at the pace of incoming business. With only two new faces through the door so far, questions continue to be asked about the club’s recruitment strategy and the level of ambition being shown in the market. The possible sale of a player of Johnston’s quality would only intensify those concerns, particularly if the funds generated are not reinvested swiftly and effectively.
From a pure footballing perspective, Johnston has been one of Celtic’s most dependable performers in recent seasons. His ability to recover from a serious injury and immediately contribute to title-winning and cup-winning efforts spoke volumes about his character and physical resilience. That same reliability would make him a valuable addition for Everton as they look to shore up their defensive options in the Premier League.
What Comes Next for Celtic and Johnston
As talks between Celtic and Everton continue, the coming days are likely to prove decisive. Celtic will want to maximise any fee while also ensuring they have time to identify and secure a replacement. Everton, meanwhile, will be keen to get a deal done sooner rather than later so that Johnston can begin integrating into their squad ahead of the new Premier League season.
For the player himself, the opportunity to test himself in England’s top division is an understandable attraction. After delivering strong performances on the international stage and helping Celtic to domestic success, a move to the Premier League represents a natural next step in his career. Whether Celtic can persuade him to stay, or whether they can extract maximum value from any sale, remains to be seen.
What is already clear is that the situation constitutes a major blow for Celtic at a pivotal moment in their season preparations. With Champions League qualifiers looming and several other key squad members either gone or on the verge of departure, the loss of Alistair Johnston would leave the Bhoys facing an even steeper challenge as they look to rebuild and compete on multiple fronts in the months ahead.
The club’s ability to respond decisively in the transfer market over the next few weeks will go a long way towards determining how damaging this latest development ultimately proves to be. For now, the focus remains on ongoing negotiations, the wishes of the player, and the urgent need to stabilise a squad that is already under considerable pressure.
.