Chris Sutton insists Celtic should resist the urge to cash in on World Cup star Alistair Johnston this summer. The Hoops are set to tie down Martin O’Neill’s backroom staff with Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham close to agreeing deals to return on permanent roles.
O’Neill is set to spark a major recruitment drive ahead of the new campaign – with some players due to report back for pre-season duties at the end of next week. The Hoops are expecting several big name departures over the coming weeks with Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate tipped to exit and interest soaring in midfielder Arne Engles.
Defender Alistair Johnston has also drawn attention following two barnstorming performances for Canada at the World Cup as the Canucks booked their place in the knockout stages with a game to spare. But Parkhead legend Sutton has urged his former club to shoot down any big bids for the 27-year-old.
He said: “It would be unthinkable to allow Johnston to go this summer. There are going to be a lot of players leaving. I’d expect Maeda and Hatate to go and it’s hard to see Engels remaining with talk of Nottingham Forest coming back in and Crystal Palace also interested.
“That is a lot of key players going out the building, so there’s no way they can also sell Johnston at this stage – regardless the price. There is already a huge job required to get this squad ready for the domestic campaign but, importantly, the Champions League qualifier. Celtic will need to bring players in but they’ll also need to keep hold of their experienced campaigners.”
Meanwhile Celts are set to decide early next week if they will hit the button on contract extensions for Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The pair penned short-term deals last term but both are understood to be keen on remaining at Parkhead for another 12 months. Talks are planned for next week and Maloney and Fotheringham could also be on board with the assistants edging closer to agreeing terms, with first team coach Gavin Strachan expected to end his six-year stint with the Hoops and join up with West Brom.
