ALISTAIR JOHNSTON has pledged his future to Celtic after signing a bumper new contract until the summer of 2029.
The 51 times-capped Canadian international right-back has been a virtual first choice in the team since he arrived in a £3.75million switch from MLS outfit CF Montreal in January 2023.
Johnston will make his 80th appearance for the champions in tomorrow night’s Premiership encounter against Hearts at Tynecastle and has netted six goals for the club, three this season.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE…Alistair Johnston at Hampden after Celtic’s 1-0 Scottish Cup Final victory over Rangers on May 25.
The popular 26-year-old defender said: “I am just delighted to extend my contract with Celtic.
“I got a brilliant welcome to the club and ever since I have had the best of times, loving every minute as part of such a great institution and I wanted to continue to be part of that.
“It’s an absolute honour to pull that famous jersey on every week and to have achieved so much success with my team-mates already has been so satisfying.
“But, of course, we want more and that is our focus.”
Johnston, speaking to the Celtic website, added: “It is a real delight to be working day in, day out in such a great set-up, working with the gaffer and the staff who have such ambition for success and with such a great group of lads.
PLAYING A CAPTAIN’S PART…Alistair Johnston dives to thump a header into the Motherwell net for Celtic’s second goal in the 3-0 win at Fir Park last month.
“Of course, my team-mates have been everything to me. It is a brilliant dressing room I am privileged to be part of, with real quality guys beside me.
“I know we are all, collectively, looking to work as hard as we can to bring our fans even more success over the next few years.”
Johnston led out the Hoops against Motherwell at Fir Park last month in the absence of crocked captain Callum McGregor and his deputy Cameron Carter-Vickers.
The Vancouver-born back-four operator celebrated by scoring the second goal with a diving header in the 3-0 triumph.
