Forget Johnston, Celtic have another 'brilliant' defender they may have to hide from Premier League
Celtic have another right-back they might have to hide from the Premier League in Colby Donovan. Bhoys full-back Alistair Johnston has been linked with Everton for much of the summer, and their interest was confirmed by Martin O'Neill.
O'Neill confirmed a few weeks back that David Moyes has called him to formally express his interest in the Canada World Cup star, but Celtic rejected the bid, which was believed to be worth around £15million.
Celtic have a price of £20million in mind for their ultra-reliable right-back, who is built to succeed in the Premier League, especially working under a manager like Moyes.
But the Bhoys have already sold Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels this summer, and they still have plenty of work to do in the window. They were also reluctant to lose Johnston before the Champions League qualifiers, but as luck would have it, the right-back has since been ruled out for both games due to an injury.
Celtic don't yet know the extent of the setback, with a scan set to take place today, on Thursday. Whether Everton will come back in for Johnston late in the window remains to be seen, and much will come down to whether they can find another right-back, and indeed the extent of Johnston's injury.
Donovan dazzles in Champions League clash
In Johnston's absence, 19-year-old Colby Donovan has been filling in, and in some style. The young right-back was sensational in Celtic's 3-0 win over LASK in the first leg of their Champions League qualifying play-off.
Donovan, who also did well against Dundee United over the weekend, has kept the more senior Anthony Ralston out of the side, and he will likely continue to do so after Wednesday night's performance.
The youngster played some of the most perfect long passes you are likely to see from right-back, and he both defended well and attacked down the right, as you would expect from Johnston.
Speaking about the youngsyter's performance, O'Neill said after the game: "He did brilliantly, he did great. He has a really big heart and that is nice to see. He is a local lad too and loves it, he loves the football club and loves playing. His enthusiasm is boundless and he stuck to his task brilliantly.”
It was the perfect time to impress, too, with new Scotland boss Sebastien Pocognoli in the stands watching on.
It may be early to be getting excited, but more performances like that and Celtic may have another right-back Premier League and EFL clubs start sniffing around.
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