Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has provided an update on Alistair Johnston, who is the subject of interest from Everton. A Blues representative was present at Parkhead on Monday to watch the right-back in Celtic’s 1-0 win over Dundee, which opened their Scottish Premiership title defence.
The ECHO understands that Johnston has told Celtic he wants to join Everton. O’Neill revealed in his pre-match press conference on Friday that David Moyes had telephoned to inform him that Everton were preparing a move. Despite ongoing efforts by the Merseyside club to finalise a deal, the two clubs have yet to agree on a fee for the Canada World Cup star.
Champions League play-off looming
Celtic were drawn against Austrian champions LASK in the Champions League play-off round, with the home leg on August 19 and the return in Linz on August 25. Celtic’s hierarchy is reluctant to lose key players before those matches unless their valuation is met or suitable replacements are found.
O’Neill’s comments
Speaking to Sky Sports after Monday’s game, O’Neill was asked whether it was important to keep the squad together before the European tie. He said: “It would be nice to do both to tell you the truth, it would be really nice.”
“Considering that there has been transfer speculation over Arne [Engels] and Ali, I thought they did fine in the game. I’m into this thing of getting attacking midfield players turning on the ball and driving forward with it. But Ali, it never bothered him at all and that was great. He said: ‘Yeah, I’ll play.’”
“It is disconcerting at times when you think about it, and you’re worried about injury and all that type of stuff. But I’m hoping that it would be nice if all that transfer speculation went away, but I’m sure it probably won’t. It would be nice for it to go away and to get a few more players in, which we’re trying to do.”
Alternative targets
The Athletic reports that Celtic’s valuation is expected to be around £15 million, and Everton have explored other options for the position, including RB Leipzig’s Germany international Ridle Baku.
