Celtic Must Start Planning for Johnston’s Exit — Hugo Siquet Could Be the Answer

I don’t want to see Alistair Johnston leave Celtic, but I also don’t think we can afford to be caught unprepared if another Premier League opportunity comes along.

Everton’s interest in the Canadian defender was one of the biggest transfer stories surrounding Celtic last summer. David Moyes made contact with Martin O’Neill, negotiations were discussed and Celtic were reportedly looking for a fee in the region of £15 million.

A move never materialised, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the interest returned in January or next summer.

Life After Johnston

Johnston is an important player for us. When fit, he gives Celtic energy down the right, gets forward well and offers a real threat in attacking areas.

However, his injury problems have been frustrating. We have to consider what happens if Everton or another Premier League club comes back with an offer that Celtic are prepared to accept.

And that brings me to Hugo Siquet.

The Belgian right-back, currently at Club Brugge, is somebody I think Celtic should be looking at. He was linked with R****rs during the summer, with reports of an offer being made, but a move didn’t happen.

Siquet is 24, has experience in Belgian football and has also played in Germany with Freiburg. He is comfortable getting forward, has the technical ability to contribute in possession and offers another option in the right-back position.

He is the sort of profile we should be considering rather than waiting until Johnston leaves before starting the search.

I’m not suggesting Siquet is a like-for-like replacement. Johnston has become an important part of this team, and replacing his intensity and consistency would be difficult.

But recruitment is about planning ahead.

We already know that Premier League clubs have been interested in Johnston. We should be using that information to identify possible replacements now, not scrambling around once an offer arrives.

I would rather see us identify our next right-back early, negotiate from a position of strength and have a replacement ready.

Johnston deserves to be valued properly if he leaves, but Celtic cannot allow another important position to become a transfer-window emergency.

If Everton come calling again, we need to be ready.