Journalist Craig Finn has praised Celtic for planning for the future by lining up the transfer of Alistair Johnston amid talk of a possible Josip Juranovic exit.
According to a November article in the Daily Mail, the Bhoys will consider bids for the Croatian full-back after the World Cup, as he seems unwilling to sign a new contract extension.
While nothing is certain about Juranovic’s departure just yet, it seems as though Celtic are already operating in the transfer market in a way that suggests they are preparing for the player’s exit.
Indeed, it seems all but certain that Canadian right-back Johnston will come in during the January transfer market, after the Hoops were thought to have reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with Montreal over a possible deal.
In reaction to this apparent plan, Finn took to Twitter to applaud the intentions of the Scottish Premiership outfit, saying: “Celtic have gone from being reactive to proactive in the transfer market.
“From rummaging around in the bargain basement deadline day bin to getting January deals done in November.
“Even a sniff that JJ [Juranovic] might leave the club, and we’re lining up his potential replacement.”
Will Alistair Johnston be a hit if he joins Celtic this winter?
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TIF Thoughts on Josip Juranovic, Alistair Johnston and Celtic…
Juranovic has previously been linked with the likes of Atletico Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea, so if he has a really strong World Cup, some big sides may come in for him in January.
Even if he doesn’t move immediately, with Celtic bringing in Johnston, who is only 24 years of age, they should have an able replacement in their squad ready to step up if and when the Croatian eventually leaves – with his current contract lasting until 2026.
Ironically, the Canadian has been full of praise for Juranovic and has actually already spoken to him ahead of his future move. Indeed, after their two nations met in the World Cup, Johnston told the press recently (via The Scotsman): “I had a little chat with Josip after the game and he is a good lad.”
He also added: “He brought the Celtic situation up a little bit to me, but that’s a conversation I can hopefully have with him in a little more detail in the future.”