Alistair Johnston has revealed that he has discussed moving to Parkhead with former Celtic star Victor Wanyama.
Reports earlier this week claimed Johnston is set to join Ange Postecoglou’s side in January after the Hoops negotiated a £3m deal with Montreal over the weekend.
The right-back, who is currently at the World Cup with Canada, revealed that Wanyama had been talking to him about a move to Glasgow and compared it to the time the Kenyan spent in England with Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.
As per the Daily Record, he said: “Victor is one who has definitely been in my ear about it. He had glowing reviews for the club.
“He was one of the ones who said to me ‘Look, if you get an opportunity and something comes up at Celtic, you have to take it.’ Vic says it’s the biggest club he had ever played for and he has played for some pretty big clubs in Spurs and Southampton – so that was a pretty glowing recommendation.
“He said that anywhere he went he still got constant shouts of ‘hail hail’ and ‘come on the Bhoys!’ So I got a glowing review from Victor and I have done a lot of my own research.”
TIF Thoughts on Johnston’s comments…
The involvement of a cult hero touting newcomers to the club in such a way will be music to Celtic fans’ ears.
Despite only playing two seasons for the Bhoys before leaving for the Premier League, the Kenyan is currently a teammate of Johnston’s at club level, and no doubt, gave his former side an advantage when battling for his services.
Johnston has started both World Cup games on the right for Canada, having made 39 appearances in all competitions for Montreal, though potential soon-to-be teammate and positional rival Josip Juranovic had the last laugh at the weekend, as he played the full 90 minutes in Croatia’s 4-1 demolition of the Maple Leafs.
But considering the speculation over Juranovic’s own future, we do wonder what kind of role is in store at Celtic for Johnston once his move is inevitably confirmed.