GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 20: Celtic's Alistair Johnston celebrates during a Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup Semi-Final match between St. Johnstone and Celtic at Hampden Park, on April 20, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Alistair Johnston has made his broadcasting debut on the The Sports Network, the leading Canadian Sports Channel.
As every reporter in Scotland knows the Celtic defender is an absolute natural with a microphone, his post-playing career is guaranteed to be in front of the camera.
Johnston is currently with the Canadian national squad preparing for a home World Cup.
While he isn’t fit enough to take part in the March friendlies it is obvious that having the Celtic defender around the squad is essential for preparations.
There was still an element of Johnston being a current player/guest on the show but his interactions with the other presenters showed his broadcasting talent.
Alistair Johnston discusses how everything is going with his own team with his good friend, @TSNScianitti ? pic.twitter.com/NaX68xQudq
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 27, 2026
Alistair Johnston joins SportsCentre and starts playing soccer instantly ? pic.twitter.com/IWDOTO3Ds9
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 27, 2026
Johnston revealed that his broadcasting debut was scheduled for 2022 at the World Cup in Qatar.
JOHNSTON THE NATURAL FOR MEDIA DUTIES
After playing for Canada he was scheduled for some punditry shifts and co-commentary appearances until his move to Celtic appeared.
Instead of an extended Qatar stay Johnston found himself in Scotland then at a training camp in the Algarve.
The January signing made his debut at Ibrox on 2 January 2023 and hasn’t looked back.
That fixture told him all that he needed to know about Scottish football and the demands of being a Celtic player. It is a cocktail that Johnston appears to thrive in.
Having not played since October 27 Johnston is in the final stages of recovering from surgery on a hamstring.
He speaks candidly about the injury, admitting that he’d rather have suffered a broken bone since it has a very definite recovery timeline.
No definite date was given for Johnston’s return. He spoke of having a 90% recovery then being told that it would still be three months before he is playing again.
Typically Johnston sees a positive in going into the World Cup relatively fresh rather than after a 50 match European campaign.
We could do with him joining The Scummy’s in Scotland…
But his Sevco Hun editor / director would soon knock his honest ascertations on the head with a sledgehammer !
Steven Thompson over at the BBC Scottish version who is one of the Saturday night presenters of Sportscene lowlights …sorry , highlights , ahem , must be thinking’ time for me to start up my window washing gig again ‘ after watching AJ show us and him how it’s done properly and well ? A fiver a window …cash in hand !