After Kobayashi: Celtic now plotting bid for 5ft11 gem, he is “starring” in Qatar – opinion
Scottish champions Celtic are reportedly eyeing up a transfer for Canada worldwide Alistair Johnston, as Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou seeks to additional strengthen his backline within the winter window.
What’s the phrase?
Based on The Scottish Solar, the Previous Agency outfit are mentioned to be ‘weighing up’ a transfer for the 24-year-old within the New Yr, with the Parkhead giants having solely not too long ago bolstered the backline with the signing of Japanese centre-back, Yuki Kobayashi.
The suggestion is that Johnston – who joined present aspect CF Montreal for £800k final December – might nicely be a alternative for Josip Juranovic at right-back, with the latter man having been tipped for a departure in latest instances.
The report reveals that Postecoglou is alleged to be an ‘admirer’ of the 31-cap sensation, with the previous Yokohama Marinos boss having already admitted that he’s eyeing up a “couple” of additives within the New Yr.
‘Starring’ on the World Cup
Including Johnston to the Glasgow aspect’s ranks might nicely show to be yet one more coup for the Bhoys, with the Vancouver-born machine having been in spectacular kind at membership stage in latest instances, scoring 4 objectives and laying on 4 assists in his 33 MLS outings this 12 months from his wing-back berth.
That expertise has additionally been replicated on the worldwide stage with the defender now “starring” in Qatar, based on Transfermarkt’s Manuel Veth, with the previous Nashville man – who may function at centre-back if required – having impressed on his World Cup debut towards Belgium on Wednesday night.
Regardless of the eventual 1-0 defeat, because the Pink Devils sealed the factors via Michy Batshuayi, the 5 foot 11 ace showcased his high quality in his function on the precise of a again three, notably recording three key passes from his 65 touches as an indication of his attacking intent, whereas additionally registering a shot on the right track.
The forward-thinking asset was additionally firmly up for the problem towards the likes of Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne having recorded two tackles on the night time, along with his strong match score of 6.6, as per SofaScore, having maybe not been a real reflection of his total efficiency.
Having put in a ‘blood and thunder efficiency‘ – within the phrases of 90min’s Chris Smith – Johnston seemingly lived as much as his personal evaluation as being a touch-tackling and ferocious asset, having revealed his love for a battle following his Ice Hockey roots:
“I performed hockey competitively within the winter after which soccer in the summertime, and I used to be at all times generally known as a man who beloved to bodycheck and to hit guys. I’ve at all times beloved the sensation of simply laying somebody out, as loopy as that sounds, and I simply introduced that angle into soccer.
“I love a good tackle to this day. Nothing gets me more excited [than] if I get clattered into by an opponent or I clatter into him and it’s clean and the guy starts pushing me back.”
Not only a no-nonsense expertise, nevertheless, the full-back additionally provides a menace in an attacking sense, with that showcased by the truth that he ranks within the prime 1% in his place for assists, as per FBref, in addition to within the prime 9% for dribbles accomplished.
That every one-round high quality might nicely make Johnston an astute seize so far as these at Celtic Park are involved, with Postecoglou more likely to be protecting an in depth eye on how he continues to carry out on the worldwide area.