Alistair Johnston: Canada defender signs new Celtic contract

Alistair Johnston has extended his contract at Celtic until 2029, with manager Brendan Rodgers praising the defender’s “phenomenal work ethic and attitude”.

The Canada international, 26, joined the Scottish champions from Montreal FC in January 2023 and has scored six goals in 79 appearances.

“I have had the best of times, loving every minute as part of such a great institution and I wanted to continue to be part of that,” he told the club website.

“It’s an absolute honour to pull that famous jersey on every week and to have achieved so much success with my team-mates already has been so satisfying. But of course, we want more and that is our focus.”

Johnston impressed at the 2022 World Cup shortly before his move to Celtic and this week passed the 50-cap mark for his country.

“Everyone at the club felt it crucial that we extend Ali’s contract and I am delighted that we have been able to do this,” said Rodgers.

“In a relatively short period of time he has established himself as a fantastic player for Celtic, showing real quality and just delivering performance after performance for us, week in, week out.

“He has a phenomenal work ethic and attitude, brilliant hunger and positivity, such an honest love for the game and a real desire to improve in everything he does.

“These are the qualities which make a great player and he has certainly been that for Celtic.”