ALISTAIR JOHNSTON is hoping Brendan Rodgers remains in charge at Celtic for “the long term.”
The Canadian international defender, who was bought by Ange Postecoglou from MLS outfit CF Montreal for £3.75million in January 2023, admits he loves playing for the Irishman who returned to the club just five months after Johnston’s arrival.
Rodgers still has just over a year to run on his deal and speculation is already kicking in about his future.
The 26-year-old right-back offered his take on the situation when he said: “The gaffer’s been great since he’s walked in the door. I think his résumé speaks for itself in terms of not only his time here, but his time elsewhere.
THREE CHEERS…Brendan Rodgers, Alistair Johnston and Kasper Schmeichel applaud the Celtic fans after the champions’ 3-0 win over St Mirren in Paisley in August.
“Yeah, I mean, he’s a winner. It’s as simple as that. He’s a manager you love to play for.”
Asked about reports about the manager signing an extension beyond his June 2026 expiry date, Johnston answered: “Obviously, that’s definitely above my pay grade, those kind of decisions. I think at the end of the day, it’ll come down to what the gaffer wants.
“He’s proven time and time again what a top manager he is and how much he loves this club and how much he loves being here for the fans.
“So, look, I think that’ll be a decision between him and the club, but, hopefully, there’s something that can keep him here for the long term. “
Johnston also turned the spotlight on his team-mates as voting is opened tomorrow on Celtic’s Player of the Year Awards, with 10 top prizes being handed out the night, five of which are voted for by the supporters.
EURO STAR…Alistair Johnston is on a high as he, Daizen Maeda and Jeffrey Schlupp celebrate Nicolas Kuhn’s goal in the 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena in February.
The adventurous back-four performer admitted he is struggling to choose among so many worthy candidates and, speaking to Celtic TV, said: “Obviously, Daizen is scoring goals for fun and when Cal’s in a match versus when Cal’s not in a match, you notice the difference.
“But when you’re playing for another trophy, you’ve got one in the bag and we’re close to lifting this league title, it means that everyone’s been playing really well this year.
“Another one is Kasper, for example. I think there are so many great options, so I’m actually curious to see what the vote goes to. But there are so many deserving winners.”
Reo Hatate came up with a spectacular opening strike in the Hoops’ 5-1 win over Kilmarnock at Parkhead at the weekend, but the Japanese ace’s eye-catching effort appeared the eclipsed by the third goal, netted by Cameron Carter-Vickers from long range that almost tore a hole in Kiera O’Hara’s net.
Johnston continued: “I’ve just never seen him score in training, never mind in a match pretty much.
“To see him lining up from there. I was just going: ‘No, no, no, he’s going to hit that!’
“But, to be fair, by the time it left his foot, it was right in the back of the net.
IT TAKES TWO…Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston celebrate another Celtic goal.
“I was probably the most shocked one in Celtic Park – I still thought it might have been a cross! But, to be fair, you watch it back and it’s an unbelievable hit. The ball was just by the keeper in a flash.
“So fair play to him, I’m glad he had one in his locker because I didn’t think it was in there! But it was a hell of a hit.”
Daizen Maeda, with 31 goals in a prolific season, is in the running for national and PFA Scotland Player of the Year honours as well as the award at the champions.
Johnston added: “It’s tough to look past Daizen. I think his goal record speaks for itself and you see the company he’s put himself into.
“I’m hearing some of the records that he’s breaking or equalling. Some of the names he’s being compared to – it’s pretty impressive so I think that’s tough to overlook.
“My guess is he is the frontrunner and I think he’d be a very deserving winner, so hopefully if it can be anyone, it can be Daizen as he definitely deserves it.”
For more information on the voting process, please click here.
