Celtic Sam Johnstone Move: 97 Days After Schmeichel Retired, Is This Really ‘World Class’?

The Celtic Sam Johnstone move may yet prove to be good business. He is an experienced goalkeeper, a former England international and a player with Premier League pedigree.

That is not the issue.

The issue is why Celtic have reached September before finally addressing a position they knew required attention months ago.

Kasper Schmeichel announced his retirement on May 27 after a serious shoulder problem ended his season. His final Celtic appearance had come on February 22.

Ninety-seven days have passed since that retirement announcement.

The Daily Record now reports that Celtic have agreed the outline of a season-long loan for Johnstone.

Celtic Sam Johnstone move raises uncomfortable questions

Johnstone is 33, not 31. He underwent shoulder surgery towards the end of last season and has not played competitively since February.

There is important context. Wolves said on August 20 that Johnstone was “pretty much full fitness” and expected to be fully fit within a week. It would therefore be unfair to describe him as currently injured.

However, he is short of match sharpness. Wolves list four senior goalkeepers, while manager Cesar Peixoto has told Johnstone he is not part of his future plans.

That is what Celtic supporters are entitled to question.

This is not an attack on Johnstone. He may arrive and become an excellent goalkeeper. His career deserves respect.

But recruitment should be judged on planning as well as the player eventually signed.

Celtic Sam Johnstone move and the “world class” standard

Michael Nicholson told supporter representatives that Celtic aim to be “a world class football club in everything we do.”

Those words create a standard.

Against LASK, Viljami Sinisalo was beaten by three efforts from distance during Celtic’s catastrophic European collapse, although he also made important saves, including a penalty.

Celtic needed genuine competition in goal long before that night.

So the question is unavoidable.

After months to prepare, is taking an out-of-favour 33-year-old goalkeeper on loan, only recently back from shoulder surgery, really the best solution Celtic could find?

Johnstone should be welcomed and given every chance if the deal is completed. The scrutiny belongs elsewhere.

If Celtic want to speak about being world class, their recruitment must look proactive, decisive and ambitious.

Not like something being completed with the transfer clock already running down.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Sam Johnstone is 33 and a former England international.
• He underwent shoulder surgery but was nearing full fitness by late August.
• Wolves manager Cesar Peixoto has said Johnstone is not part of his future plans.
• Kasper Schmeichel announced his retirement 97 days before September 1.
• The criticism is of Celtic’s recruitment process, not Johnstone.