ALISTAIR JOHNSTON has been linked with Fulham and Ipswich while ‘other’ Premier League clubs have been trailing the Celtic defender.
But they might be barking up the wrong tree if the Canadian international has anything to do with it.
Alistair Johnston hinted he won’t be moving on from Celtic any time soon[/caption]
He penned a contract extension til 2029 to fend off interest from the EPL[/caption]
The Canadian international popped the question to fiancee Peyton last year[/caption]
Johnston, 26, has often raved about life at Parkhead since signing for Ange Postecoglou two years ago.
He switched from starring for his national team at the World Cup in Qatar to Scotland and the SPFL in January 2023 – and hasn’t looked back since.
It was a major move for the Major League Soccer player, to leave his homeland and Montreal for Scotland.
But he’s fallen in love with Celtic – calling it a ‘storied football club’ and reading up on its’ history and achievements and embedding himself into life in Scotland.
Johnston has won three-quarters of all matches he’s played for the Hoops en route to two league titles, two league cups and two Scottish cups. A complete domestic treble is in sight this season too.
He’s settled down with partner Peyton too – and the right-back popped the question last year as the couple were engaged at Turnberry resort in Ayrshire.
They share a black labrador, Salem, together and it seems Johnston is in no hurry to move on from the ‘unique experience’ of Glasgow where he even dons a DISGUISE to take his dog a walk.
Last year he revealed: “In Nashville and Montreal I could walk through the streets and not get any abuse. Over here, every single person knows who you are and they either love you or they hate you.
“I’ve had my fair share of pep talks and scoldings from grandmothers on the street – the passion for the sport, it’s second to none.
“It’s something I’ve learned, that I’m not going to be there for ever so cherish it while you are there because it’s not normal — and it’s not normal to a lot of cities in the world and it’s not normal to a lot of players, no matter what club you play for.
“It’s a unique experience.”
And it’s that dog – and their trips together – which he’ll factor in when considering his next move, whenever and wherever that may be he’s said this week.
However, it doesn’t look like they’ll be going walkies round the west end of London anytime soon.
He admitted to The Guardian: “I’m in no rush to take a Scottish dog out of Scotland.
“That’d be its own challenge. I don’t take for granted what an unbelievable opportunity this club has [given me].”
Johnston is currently on international duty after the Old Firm defeat to Rangers and has escaped the pressure of the Glasgow football scene for a few days of the international break.
One that he usually tries to walk off with Salem but is regularly reminded of.
He added: “That’s the pressure that you need to enjoy. That is the Celtic standard.
Johnston says his pet dog Salem is a key consideration wherever he goes next[/caption]
The 26-year-old was on the end of a second consecutive Old Firm defeat at the weekend[/caption]
He’s currently on international duty with Canada[/caption]
“It is taxing mentally but it means so much when you’re at a club like that.
“I see what the club means to people. I understand that if I’m a fan of a club like this, what would I like to see from my players? I’m honest with my work, defensively love a tackle, love being physical. I’m a bit football mad.
“I love the city – the biggest fish bowl in all of Europe. Everyone knows who you are.
“You don’t know if they love you or hate you but you know they know who you are.
“I’m not famous outside of maybe a 30-mile radius of Glasgow city centre … but what a radius.”
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