Alistair Johnston: Everything Celtic have said about losing 'major player' as Everton swoop

Celtic could be set for a double exit blow in the coming days as Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels both close in on moves away.

The former appears to be close to a switch to Everton, with the Hoops reportedly holding out for around £15million.

The 27-year-old's departure will be a big loss for Martin O'Neill, who only had the benefit of selecting him for six games after he returned from a significant hamstring injury.

Johnston still has three years remaining on his contract and Celtic will not be happy to see him leave, but the player's will is to take the opportunity and £15m is no scam.

The Canada international arrived at Parkhead in 2023 from Montreal in a deal worth around £3.5m.

Despite enduring such an injury-hit season, Johnston showed what he can do and clearly caught the eye at this summer's World Cup.

Martin O'Neill to lose 'proper player'

Celtic have already lost a key player this summer in Daizen Maeda, who ended the season with 11 goal contributions in seven games.

Engels would be another significant loss, with West Ham reportedly closing in on a deal for him.

But there was a certain amount of expectation that both players would leave this summer - that was not the case with Johnston.

The right-back missed almost the entirety of the season, but it quickly became clear how much Celtic had missed him when he did return.

The defender will not at all be easily replaced, but there is now a sense of inevitability bout his incoming exit.

Part of O'Neill will undoubtedly be happy for Johnston, but he will know just how big a loss it is for his squad this season.

Speaking in May after the Canadian had returned, he said: "His overall performance I thought was really good, really, really good. A good player, and I think he has been missed, obviously, during the course of the season.

"We have had to get Julian Araujo in from Bournemouth, who I thought did very, very well for us, but they tell me that Alistair’s a real, real proper player, and from the bits that I’ve seen in the training that we’ve done, and in these games, you can see that he’s been a major player for the club.”

O'Neill reveals Alistair Johnston talks

Everton have been linked with countless right-backs this summer, but it appears that they have settled on Johnston.

The 27-year-old will be competing against Jake O'Brien for the position, but will also cover when the Ireland international moves into the centre of the defence.

Speaking following reports of Everton's interest, O'Neill said: "I’ve spoken to him on the back of the interest. Again, it was one of those where Alistair is perfectly happy here at the football club.

"But like anything else, your head can get turned very quickly, particularly if it’s a really good club. He wouldn’t leave here for a second-class Premier League club, if there is such a thing, but if a big, big club comes in, it’s something you would have to look at."

With the deal seemingly drawing to a conclusion, Celtic will be forced to return to the transfer market as their list of priority positions grows.