Alistair Johnston, born in Canada on 8 October 1998, is a 27-year-old footballer who primarily takes on the role of a defender for The Bhoys— more specifically as a right back. Standing at a sturdy 5ft 10in (1.8m) and weighing 12st 1lb (77kg), the number 2 jersey adorns him on the field. In addition to his club duties, Johnston has had the honour of representing his homeland, donning the Canadian national colours.
Presently, Johnston holds a market value of around £6.8m, as ascertained by Transfermarkt.
Johnston's journey to Celtic was an intriguing one. It commenced in February 2020, when he joined Nashville SC, a Major League Soccer team based in the United States, via the league's draft. His initial 2020 season saw him contributing to 18 league matches, which increased to 26 appearances, inclusive of one goal in his 2021 stint with Nashville.
In a surprising move in December 2021, Johnston transferred to another MLS side, CF Montreal, for an undisclosed fee. He adapted quickly to his new environment and stayed on for the 2022 season, leaving a mark with 33 appearances and four crucial goals.
In January 2023, Johnston, true to the nature of football and all its surprises, left North America and ventured to the Scottish Premiership to join Celtic, for a fee of approximately £3m. Johnston has since played three complete seasons for The Hoops from 2022 to 2025, making a total of 78 appearances and scoring six important goals. Moreover, he has started in two league encounters in the ongoing 2025 - 2026 season.
His contributions beyond the league matches have also been significant. Johnston participated in the League Cup 2025 - 2026 for Celtic, Champions League Qualifiers 2025 - 2026, and the Europa League 2025 - 2026. He has also proudly represented Canada in the Gold Cup 2025, emphasising his commitment both to The Bhoys and to his national team.
