ALISTAIR Johnston has revealed that he is unconcerned by Celtic’s lack of transfer activity this summer – because he is confident the current Parkhead squad can deliver success domestically and in Europe in the 2024/25 season.
The Scottish champions’ supporters are unhappy that manager Brendan Rodgers has only brought in three new players- goalkeepers Viljami Sinisalo and Kasper Schmeichel and midfielder Paulo Bernardo - this summer.
Rodgers is hopeful the Glasgow club can agree a deal to bring in Norwich City and Republic of Ireland forward Adam Idah on a permanent contract during the coming days
However, right-back Johnston, who helped the Glasgow club to beat Hibernian 2-0 at Easter Road on Sunday and return to the top of the William Hill Premiership table, feels Rodgers already has good options in most positions.
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“It's a tough one because I believe in everyone in that locker room right now,” he said. “I think that we have a really strong squad.
“But, at the same time, you know what the gaffer wants to bring in. I think he's been pretty vocal about that. Anyone that can come in and help push this team is going to be welcomed as well with open arms. There are plenty of players we saw last year who came in and helped push us on.
“At the same time, I don't think any of us are too stressed about that. We've got a pretty strong squad right now, and I think the results show that. It's a very similar 11 to what we were rolling out last year that went and did a double.
Johnston helped Canada to reach the semi-finals of the Copa America in the United States this summer – but he has no fears about his short break from competitive football which he got before the 2024/25 campaign got underway.
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“It was short and sweet, the downtime,” he said. “It was good in a way that I didn't lose a ton of fitness, so my first week back wasn't running like all the other guys. It was kind of right back into full training.
“Yeah, it hasn't been easy in terms of just the mental and physical lack of a break, really getting away. But again, this management team, they've seen this before. It's not their first time having players go away for international duty and coming back.
“So they've done a good job so far already of managing me and making sure that not only am I physically ready, but mentally as well. I think that they're going to pace me and manage me pretty well throughout especially these first couple of months.
“It’s not like we don't have another right-back. We've got Tony Ralston, who is more than capable of being one of the best full-backs in this league. So we're in a really good position in that way.”
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