---
title: "Celtic: Pundit reacts to Alistair Johnston deal"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-pundit-reacts-to-alistair-johnston-deal/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2022-12-08T11:35:03Z"
modified: "2022-12-08T11:35:03Z"
---

# Celtic: Pundit reacts to Alistair Johnston deal

**Pundit Tam McManus has been reacting to [Celtic](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/)’s move for right-back Alistair Johnston.**

### The Lowdown: Johnston signed

The Hoops may well be set to lose [Josip Juranovic](https://www.footballinsider247.com/celtic-sources-juranovic-january/) in the New Year after contract talks stalled, so they have already acted to bolster their options by signing Johnston.

The 24-year-old put pen to paper on a [five-year deal](https://www.celticfc.com/news/2022/december/03/celtic-delighted-to-sign-canadian-internationalist-alistair-johnston-on-five-year-deal/) from CF Montreal after playing for Canada at the World Cup.

He becomes the club’s second winter window signing after centre-back Yuki Kobayashi, who has also signed a [five-year contract](https://www.celticfc.com/news/2022/november/23/celtic-delighted-to-sign-yuki-kobayashi/) in Scotland.

### The Latest: McManus thrilled

Former Celtic man Frank McAvennie had some [concerns](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/celtic-alistair-johnston-frank-mcavennie-latest-transfer-news-updates/) about the signing, but McManus is quite the opposite.

The ex-Hibs man was talking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/mcmanus-celtic-have-just-pulled-off-a-great-signing-alistair-johnstons-perfect-for-scottish-football/) regarding the club’s move for Johnston in a story shared on Wednesday. He believes the signing ‘ticks a lot of boxes for Celtic’ and labelled a transfer as a ‘great move’ for the Hoops.

*“Yeah we had a good look at him during the World Cup and I thought he was very good.*

*“He ticks a lot of boxes for Celtic in terms of athleticism, pace, and good going forward. I think he is perfect for Scottish football and the way Ange likes to play.*

*“It’s a great move for Celtic in my opinion. Of course, it covers that position because we don’t know what is going to happen with Juranovic.*

*“But everyone took a good look at him during the World Cup and I think Celtic fans were impressed. We are going to see a lot of players move clubs on the back of this World Cup.*

*“Celtic acted quickly to get this deal done because they obviously liked what they saw. Like I say, I think he’s perfect for Scottish football.”*

[Key latest Celtic updates!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/key-latest-celtic-updates-9/)

### The Verdict: Good news

As mentioned, the Hoops could soon lose Juranovic in a deal worth [more than £5m](https://www.footballinsider247.com/celtic-sources-juranovic-january/), so as McManus says, it is good that they acted quickly to sign Johnston.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”415619″\]

The right-back can play in a [variety](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/alistair-johnston/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/637446) of different positions such as a right midfielder, centre-back or defensive midfielder, something which could come in handy under Ange Postecoglou, who also has Anthony Ralston as a right-back option.

He’s been described as a player ‘perfect for Scottish football’, so hopefully, Johnston will hit the ground running at Parkhead.