Alistair Johnston exit on the cards as Celtic eye Julian Araujo reunion - verdict
Alistair Johnston could be set to leave Celtic this summer as they reportedly line up another move for Bournemouth right-back Julian Araujo.
Celtic's right-back situation became complicated last season after Johnston suffered a serious hamstring injury in October.
Anthony Ralston and Colby Donovan featured in his absence before the Hoops signed Bournemouth defender Araujo in the January window.
He impressed during his loan spell before seeing his own campaign cut short in April due to a thigh issue.
Celtic are now reportedly looking to re-sign Araujo this summer, with Johnston surely set for pastures new as a result.
He recently impressed at the World Cup with Canada, and links to Araujo could be indicative of Celtic expecting Johnston to push to leave in the coming months.
Julian Araujo to return to Celtic to replace Alistair Johnston
Johnston has consistently impressed for Celtic since joining the club from CF Montreal in 2023.
He has registered seven goals and 23 assists in 122 appearances for the Glasgow giants, with his impressive World Cup displays raising the chance of a possible move away at 27-years-old.
New reports from Mexico have claimed that Araujo is back on the Hoops' radar after returning to Bournemouth for pre-season training under Marco Rose in the last week.
He became a cult hero in just 13 appearances for Celtic between January and April, and talk of another move should raise suspicion of him replacing Johnston as Martin O'Neill's first choice right-back.
Anthony Ralston is reportedly set to sign a new contract with the club, so is due to stay, while sources have told Football Insider that Celtic are ready to loan Colby Donovan out this summer.
What has O'Neill said about Araujo?
O'Neill was behind the deal to sign Araujo on loan in January, and made it clear after his injury that he was keen to see him back available as soon as possible.
His wish was not granted as Araujo failed to recover in time to feature in the Premiership run-in, but the pair could soon reunite again.
The Northern Irishman offered Araujo some balanced praise in February after his first run of games in his starting eleven, saying: "I think he’s done really well, really well. He’s a good character. He wants to do well. And his heart is in the right place as well.
"There’s parts of his game that me as a manager, as a coach, say that I think that he can definitely improve on. But yeah, he’s had a great impact here so far.”
O'Neill's comments give the impression that he would be willing to continue to trust Araujo heading into next season, with Johnston now potentially on his way out as Celtic aim to raise funds to invest in other positions.