Sam JohnstoneImago

Celtic should pull the plug on Sam Johnstone deal, one stat is so telling

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at the Edinburgh Evening News and GRV Media; Masters graduate from the University of Derby. FOCUS Scottish Premiership coverage with specialist knowledge of Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Aberdeen, and Motherwell. THE INSIGHT Jack utilises a network of club and industry contacts across the Scottish Premiership to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the tactical and transfer insight behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

Published on:

28 Aug 2026, 5:50 am

Celtic should pull the plug on a move for Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Sam Johnstone ahead of the transfer cut-off.

Reports emerged on Thursday that the Hoops are considering a move for the 33-year-old.

The former England international’s future is uncertain at Molineux following the arrival of two new goalkeepers, and he could serve as a replacement for Kasper Schmeichel.

However, despite Johnstone proving to be a solid shot-stopper in the net, his injury record in recent years is alarming.

The goalkeeper has consistently found himself on the sidelines at Wolves, and previously at Crystal Palace, which has caused him to fall out of the starting XI.

Now, if Celtic are to bring in a goalkeeper this summer, they must consider other options over Johnstone.

Sam Johnstone has a horrific injury record

In the past three campaigns, Johnstone has found himself on the sidelines for one reason or another.

Overall, the goalkeeper has missed a combined total of 29 matches for both Crystal Palace and Wolves due to injuries since the 2023-24 season.

In fact, Johnstone had to undergo shoulder surgery at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, ruling him out of the final matches and disrupting his pre-season this summer.

While the Daily Mail reports that he is back to full fitness now, Celtic should not consider a move for the goalkeeper.

Given his recent record, it feels inevitable that another injury will occur this season, which will put him out on the sidelines.

It simply does not make sense for Martin O’Neill to be given a new goalkeeper to be the number one, when he will likely still have to rely on Viljami Sinisalo for portions of the campaign.

Therefore, if Celtic are to sign a new goalie, they must make sure that his injury record is clean and that he commonly plays a full campaign.

The full stats show Celtic who they must prioritise out of Leo Cavallius and Balazs Toth

Is Viljami Sinisalo good enough to remain as Celtic’s number one this season?

If Celtic were to allow Sinisalo to remain as the number one this campaign, it would not be a calamitous decision.

The goalkeeper has had a solid start to the campaign and is clearly good enough to compete in the Scottish Premiership.

In Europe, Sinisalo could struggle, but with Celtic no longer in the Champions League, the Finland international should be able to manage in the Europa League.

However, it remains to be seen what the Hoops plan to do in the remaining weeks of the transfer window.

Viljami Kari Veikko Sinisalo