Alistair Johnston

[kramer]

On paper, this has the feel of the worst piece of business we’ve done under the Friedkins with the lousy age profile and price coming a poor league.

Fortunately, the game’s not played on paper. Hoping he’s just a late bloomer who takes to the PL like a duck to water. Won’t be bothered if we overpaid if that happens.

[StirlingBlue]

On paper, this has the feel of the worst piece of business we’ve done under the Friedkins with the lousy age profile and price coming a poor league.

Fortunately, the game’s not played on paper. Hoping he’s just a late bloomer who takes to the PL like a duck to water. Won’t be bothered if we overpaid if that happens.

£15m gets you what £7m got you a few years ago if you're a premier league club, it's a fine price.

The age profile I agree with though, in general you overpay for players at that "peak" age range but that's only a real issue if we're spunking £40m+ on that age profile - this is cheap enough that it doesn't bother me.

For context, it's about the same that we paid for Alcaraz 18 months ago and he'll likely leave on a free

[Toddacelli]

I've done some YouTube research so I now consider myself an expert in his game.

He's fast but not Spence levels rapid, got a good cross on him, seems like a good scrapper and (most surprisingly) seems like he likes an underlapping run to get into the box.

Reminds me quite a lot of Coleman actually

I watched a highlights video and was very unimpressed. I mean no offence and don’t want to be disparaging about the Scottish league but some of the grounds that the clips were of looked like the standard of football had to be very poor.

So he didn’t look more than competent to me and that appeared to be at a standard way below the Premier League.

I hope I’m very wrong and feel free to call me a judgemental prick, but it did not look good at all.

On reflection I decided to drop the video in here so you could make up your own minds.

[blueToffee]

You also have to keep in mind who he’s playing for too within the SPL. Playing for Celtic who are expected to dominate games is a very different assignment to how we usually play.

For my non-extensive research I watched some highlights of the Canada games this past World Cup against the better teams like Switzerland and Morocco and it felt slim pickings if I’m honest.

That said, I do like it when fans generally speak well of a player which seemingly most do. They are the ones who are watching every minute of these games.

[Raptor]

I watched a highlights video and was very unimpressed. I mean no offence and don’t want to be disparaging about the Scottish league but some of the grounds that the clips were of looked like the standard of football had to be very poor.

So he didn’t look more than competent to me and that appeared to be at a standard way below the Premier League.

I hope I’m very wrong and feel free to call me a judgemental prick, but it did not look good at all.

On reflection I decided to drop the video in here so you could make up your own minds.

I'm sure that's what everyone is thinking. Nearly 28, highest division he's played is Scotland, which if we're being honest isn't the best. Massive difference between playing against the likes of Dundee United and City with Doku etc.
I don't think it's judgmental, it's reality. He's getting towards the end of his career and never once touched a major European top league. He might be decent, but it's a massive gamble considering we need a first team regular and his history/experience

[Surax]

So we sign a hot up and coming right back from rangers, international as well. Can't make that work. So now we'll go in for nearly 28 year old Canadian who's at his peak and highest level he's played at is Scottish prem....and we're talking 15m...nah. overpaying from players from Scotland ain't it.

[Kerryblueboy]

I watch a good bit of Celtic and he is very average has a bit of pace but is imo championship level nothing better than Patterson hope he improves or Jake will be back rb

[Audrey Horne]

Starting this eve

[Matt1878]

Looks a bit like Davey's love child, especially in a Celtic shirt.

[blueToffee]

Starting this eve

Interested to see him play actually. Watched a couple of highlights, but helpful to see a full game.

[Raptor]

If it wrong wanting a player to pick up an injury, maybe like a small tweak of a hamstring or something?

[brap2]

Not sure I want to see plan B

[The Doc]

Not sure I want to see plan B

I think you're seeing Plan C as it stands.

[MayorFarnham]

I tend to think if he was anything special playing in a Celtic team that win every week with about 70% possession we'd have all heard of him already.

[Bluedylan1]

I think he's probably better than quite a few are giving him credit for.

Baz from Toffee TV says we're still in talks with a few different right backs, and Johnstone is just one of the options. Nothing has progressed beyond initial inquiries.