The EPL side are on the verge of bidding for Celtic’s right back.
Stephen McGowan of the Herald last night stated that Everton were on the verge of bidding for Celtic right back Alistair Johnston. The reaction from both sets of supporters couldn’t be more different online. Celtic fans reacted exactly how you would expect, by declaring that AJ was one player the club could not afford to lose this summer during such a large rebuild. Everton fans reacted in a completely different manner, with the majority of the reaction negative towards the potential signing, despite the fans admitting they were desperate for their club to sign a right back ahead of the season starting.
“Will we ever learn” one fan said on X. “This is not the right back we were hoping for” said another. “I hope he’s a backup to the actual right back we want” toffee supporter added online. In general, the response was typically similar. With the majority of the Everton support clearly never having watched him, Celtic fans will be hoping that the club stands firm and doesn’t lose one of their key men ahead of the season starting on Monday night. Johnston missed the majority of last season through injury but helped turn the season around when he did returned for the run in. The Canadian is one of a few players that the fan base would not want to lose during the major rebuild required. If he does go, they would be hoping for significantly more than the reported £10 million Everton are supposedly looking to pay for him. Fans online have said the club should “start the conversation at £25 million” others questioned that amount and asked for “more than “£30-£35 million as we don’t have to sell”.
With three years left on his contract till 2029 the club are in a strong position to demand good money for one of their key assets and must take into account what they are losing off the pitch as well as on it. Johnston is seen as one of the leaders at Celtic these days and would be a natural successor to McGregor for the captaincy when the time is right. Fans will no doubt be hoping that the club stands firm and attempts to keep one of their top assets ahead of the transfer window closing in a few weeks time. If the Canadian does move on, the club will need to have a suitable replacement lined up in addition to the considerable work they already need to achieve in the next few weeks.
All views expressed on Celtic DNA are personal opinions and are for commentary and discussion purposes only