Celtic star triggers surge in interest across the pond
Celtic’s multinational squad is certainly doing the talking on the pitch. Yet the international nature of the talent at Brendan Rodgers’ disposal is also having an impact off the field too. The popularity of the club is already soaring in the likes of Japan and Scandinavia with high-profile players from these countries and regions feeding into a boon for the brand. A less-likely source of interest has been piqued with the arrival of Canadian full-back Alistair Johnston, with the popular defending creating a lower-key Hoops frenzy in a country more synonymous with ice skating. Yet as the best betting sites in Canada can certainly attest to, interest in the Parkhead club’s matches is certainly growing across the board.
Since joining back in December 2022, the now 25-year-old Johnston has proven to be a reliable presence in the Hoops defence. Penning a five-year deal when signing from CF Montreal of the MLS, Johnston made his debut in the fiery surroundings of Ibrox in a 2-2 draw in January 2023. That came hot on the heels of featuring in all of his country’s three group games at the World Cup in Qatar, a tournament in which the player excelled. Canada’s presence at that event certainly helped to raise both the sport’s and the individual players’ profiles in the wake of that rare appearance at a showpiece. And clubs featuring Canadian players have certainly benefitted. Celtic are one of those beneficiaries with interest in the club, both from a merchandising and betting viewpoint, increasing.
With its history of immigration, particularly from the British Isles and Ireland, Canada has long boasted Celtic fans groups. Indeed, Johnston himself has a connection with his mother hailing from Poleglass in Northern Ireland. Born in Vancouver, Johnston played college football before entering the MLS draft in 2020. He was picked up at 11th drop by Nashville SC, officially signing for the club in January 2020. In December of 2021 Johnston returned to his native Canada with CF Montreal. By that stage the player had already established himself as a full international. At the time of writing he has 39 caps for his country, scoring one goal.
Interestingly, it was an ex-Hoop who had a major influence on helping Johnston decide that Parkhead was the right step for the player to take in his development. That ex-player was none other than Victor Wanyama, a teammate of Johnston’s at Montreal and a Celtic favourite between 2011 and 2013. The Kenyan international has been plying his trade in Montreal since leaving Spurs in 2020. Famously Wanyama was a Celtic supporter as a child, even often going to see his local side who go by the name of Kibera Celtic. It’s not just Canada where you’ll find fans of the Bhoys.
But here’s a question. Is Johnston Celtic’s first Canadian international? The answer is ‘no’, but you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who actually witnessed the prior example. That’s because the only other player to hail from that part of the world was dual Scotland and Canada international Joe Kennaway, an iconic goalkeeper who made 265 appearances for the club across the 1930s. The Club may not have seen many Canadians pull on the iconic shirt, but these players certainly seem to make an impact when they do.
And there could be no better time to continue looking west for talent. There are a number of high-profile Canadian players now making waves in Europe, none more so than Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies, whose market value is a cool £70 million and who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid in recent times. Other notable players are Lille’s Jonathan David, Porto’s Stephen Eustáquio and Inter’s Tajon Buchanan. With Canadian players now featuring at such high-profile clubs in Europe, the game’s popularity will surely continue to grow back on home soil, and Celtic are well placed to benefit from that rise in popularity.
But in pure footballing terms, The Bhoys have secured themselves a real asset in the shape of Johnston, whose swashbuckling performances are helping propel the club’s surge for yet another domestic double. It’s yet another nod to the effectiveness of that scouting and recruitment network that continues to unearth gems from the four corners of the globe. Johnston may only be Celtic’s second Canadian international, but we’re willing to bet he won’t be their last.