Alistair Johnston, a solid defender and right back for Celtic, was born on 8 October 1998 in Canada. He's not much of a unit, standing at 5ft 10in and weighing 12st 1lb, but his agility and precision on the pitch more than make up for that. He dons the number 2 jersey, a figure frequently associated with reliable strength in the game. He's also had the opportunity to pull on the jersey for his native Canada.
Prior to Celtic, Johnston played across the pond in the United States' MLS. He began at Nashville after being picked in the 2020 draft. Despite being a rookie, he didn’t disgrace himself, making 18 appearances in his debut season, followed by 26 appearances in 2021, contributing a goal to Nashville’s cause.
Johnston's performances didn't go unnoticed, as he secured a transfer to CF Montreal in the MLS in December 2021, for an undisclosed fee. He was to be a valuable addition on the pitch, featuring 33 times during the 2022 season. He found the back of the net on four occasions, lending a rather unusual attacking prowess to the side.
Johnston then joined Celtic in January 2023, for a fee of around £3m. He settled quickly, making 14 appearances, and scoring once in his first season at Celtic. He strengthened his role in the 2023-2024 season, featuring in 32 Premiership bouts with a solitary goal. Offshore, he made six starts in the European Champions League, four in the Scottish Cup, and an additional six in the Copa America.
Johnston plans to remain with Celtic for the 2024-2025 season. As he enters his prime years, Celtic supporters eagerly anticipate his future contributions. It's been a hard journey from Canada to Celtic Park, but Johnston has proven worthy of the commitment and effort.
