Celtic are reported to be ready to open talks to provide Alistair Johnstone with a new improved contract.
Following the 2022 World Cup Finals in Qatar Celtic signed the defender on a five year deal with Johnston taking over from Josip Juranovic in a perfect example of succession planning.
After some injury issues at the start of last season Johnston was a key player in delivering the domestic double, taking that form into the international arena with Canada reaching the semi finals of the Copa America.
Last season Celtic improved the contracts of Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, Matt O’Riley and Cameron Carter-Vickers.
That policy looks set to continue with transfer specialist Scott Burns of the Daily Record reporting:
Celtic are set to open talks with Alistair Johnston over a new deal to bring him in line with the club’s top earners.
The Hoops hierarchy have got the transfer window out of the way and want to continue the trend of tying up their top stars on long-term contracts. The Canadian international still has three years left on his existing deal but they want to extend that and hand him improved terms.
The 25-year-old moved to Scotland from CF Montreal back two years ago and has pretty much made the right-back slot his own. Johnston is still on the existing contract when he first arrived at Celtic. Brendan Rodgers is keen to bring him in line with some of his other first-team stars. The Hoops have already made initial contact with the player’s representatives to get the ball rolling.
It seems a win-win situation for players to renew their contract with the case of O’Riley demonstrating that if the price is right players will be sold.
Johnston picked up a hamstring injury during the international break with Brendan Rodgers likely to provide an update on that at his media conference on Friday.
Good move this for sure… Get it done Celtic and well done to Brendan, Mr Lawwell and Mr Nicholson if they do it !