Celtic’s reported transfer target Alistair Johnston has opened up on the speculation surrounding his move to Celtic this month.
The Canadian’s ‘transfer’ from Montreal to Glasgow has dominated the headlines these last ten days and it does seem like it’s just a matter of time until the move is concluded and Johnston is paraded at Paradise with the scarf above his head.
Johnston opened up on the speculation to journalist, Stephen McGowan, and revealed the former Celtic star who ‘sold’ a move to the club.
McGowan wrote, “Celtic have already thrashed out an agreement with MLS side Montreal for the 24-year-old.
“Speaking exclusively to Sportsmail, the full-back told how club team-mate Wanyama has urged him to grab the move with both hands.”
Speaking to McGowan in the Mail+, Johnston 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”.
Exclusive: Victor Wanyama sold me on a move to Celtic, says Canada full back Johnstonhttps://t.co/fvAHvd0J8e via @mailplus
— stephen.mcgowan (@mcgowan_stephen) November 29, 2022
‘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.
‘Victor has done a lot of research for me as well, to be fair — he’s the best agent Celtic could have.’
Big Vic was a tremendous player for Celtic. One of the players responsible for slaying Barcelona in that famous 2-1 at Celtic Park back in 2012, the Kenyan fired himself into the limelight and earned himself a £12.5 move to Southampton in 2013 [BBC].
Not that the club should need to be sold to anyone, but even after all this time, it is still great to hear how much Wanyama still holds the club close to his heart and that he speaks still so highly of his time at Paradise.