Alistair Johnston

Not to be confused with Allister Johnston.

Alistair William Johnston (born October 8, 1998) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a right-back for Scottish Premiership club Celtic and the Canada national team.

Alistair Johnston

Johnston with Canada at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name	Alistair William Johnston[1]
Date of birth	(1998-10-08) October 8, 1998 (age 26)
Place of birth	Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Position(s)	Right-back
Team information
Current team	Celtic
Number	2
Youth career
2002–2005	Lakeshore SC
	Aurora Youth SC
	Richmond Hill SC
0000–2014	ANB Futbol
2015	Vaughan SC
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2016–2017	St. John's Red Storm	36	(10)
2018–2019	Wake Forest Demon Deacons	43	(6)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2015–2020	Vaughan Azzurri	15	(1)
2020–2021	Nashville SC	44	(1)
2022	CF Montréal	33	(4)
2023–	Celtic	68	(6)
International career‡
2021–	Canada	51	(1)
Medal record Men's soccer Representing  Canada CONCACAF Nations League Runner-up 2023 United States
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of February 5, 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of November 20, 2024

Johnston began his senior career with Vaughan Azzurri. He later had spells with Major League Soccer teams Nashville SC and CF Montréal before signing for Celtic in late 2022. He made his debut for Canada in 2021 and represented the country at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2024 Copa América.

Early life

Johnston was born in Vancouver to a Canadian father and a Northern Irish mother from Poleglass. His family moved to Montreal when he was four, where he began playing soccer with Lakeshore SC. The family again moved to Aurora, Ontario when he was seven.^[3] There, he played youth soccer with Aurora FC and Richmond Hill SC.^[4] He made his debut in the Canadian youth program at an under-18 camp in 2015, when he was 16.^[5] He played youth soccer with ANB Futbol, and earned a tryout with French club Troyes AC while there.^[6][7] In 2015, he joined Vaughan SC, helping them win the 2015 U-18/U-19 Disney Soccer Showcase, the 2015 OYSL U-18 League title,^[8] and the 2016 and 2017 U21 Ontario Cup.^[9]

College career

Johnston attended St. John's University for two years, before moving to Wake Forest University in 2018 in search of a bigger challenge both in soccer and academically. He switched positions from central midfield to right-back upon joining Wake Forest.^[10]

Club career

Early career

While in college, Johnston returned to Canada to play with League1 Ontario side Vaughan Azzurri from 2015 to 2019 during the college offseason. He played in the 2019 Canadian Championship for Vaughan Azzurri and was sent off in the second leg of the away goals defeat to the HFX Wanderers.

Nashville SC

On January 9, 2020, Johnston was selected 11th overall by Nashville SC in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft.^[11] He officially signed with the club on February 25, 2020.^[12] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which included Nashville withdrawing from the MLS is Back Tournament due to an outbreak amongst the team,^[13] his debut was delayed until August 12 against FC Dallas, coming on as a substitute.^[5] He made his first start four days later, also against Dallas.^[14] He helped the club reach the MLS Playoffs in their debut season, making 18 appearances.^[15]

On September 22, 2021, Johnston scored his first MLS goal in a 5–1 victory over Inter Miami.^[16] In December 2021, Nashville announced they were exercising Johnston's contract option, keeping him at the club through the 2022 MLS season.^[17]

CF Montréal

On December 23, 2021, CF Montréal acquired Johnston from Nashville in exchange for $1 million in allocation money, with Nashville also retaining a percentage of a transfer fee in a future sale.^[18] Montreal confirmed the deal on December 27 and announced Johnston had also signed a new contract taking him through 2023, with options for 2024 and 2025.^[19] He made his debut for Montreal on February 23, as a substitute against Liga MX side Santos Laguna in the club's second leg of their 2022 CONCACAF Champions League tie.^[20] Johnston scored his first goal for Montreal on May 14, the second goal in a 2–0 victory against Charlotte FC.^[21]

Celtic

In December 2022, CF Montréal announced they had transferred Johnston to Scottish Premiership side Celtic, taking effect January 1, 2023.^[22] He signed a 5-year contract with the Glasgow club.^[23] Upon the announcement, Johnston stated at a press conference that former Celtic and current CF Montréal midfielder Victor Wanyama was a major influence on his decision to move to the Bhoys.^[24][25]

Johnston made his debut for Celtic on January 2, starting against rivals Rangers and playing the entire match in a 2–2 away draw.^[26] He then made his home debut a few days later, starting again in a 2–0 win against Kilmarnock.^[27] On March 5, 2023, Johnston scored his first goal for Celtic in a 5–1 away win against St Mirren.^[28] Johnston ended his first season at Celtic Park having helped them to a domestic treble, winning the Premiership, the League Cup and the Scottish Cup.^[29]

On November 22, 2024, Johnston signed a new five-year contract with Celtic, keeping him at the club until 2029.^[30]

International career

Johnston accepted an invitation to the Canada national team camp in January 2021.^[31] He made his debut for Canada on March 25, 2021, as a 69th-minute substitute against Bermuda in the first round of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying.^[32] He scored his first goal for his country in the following match, an 11–0 win against the Cayman Islands, which became the largest victory in the team's history.^[33] In June 2021, Johnston was named to the 60-man preliminary squad for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup,^[34] and on July 1 he was named to the final squad.^[35]

In November 2022, Johnston was called up to Canada's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup,^[36] where he played in all three of Canada's matches. In June 2023, he was named to Canada's 23-man squad for the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals.^[37]

In June 2024, Johnston was named in Canada's squad for the 2024 Copa América.^[38] Following the conclusion of the competition, he was named in the Team of the Tournament, being the only non-South American player included.^[39]

Personal life

Johnston's younger brother, Malcolm, is also a soccer player and was selected in the first round of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by New York City.^[40][41]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played February 18, 2025^[42]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Playoffs		National cup		League cup		Continental		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Vaughan Azzurri	2015	League1 Ontario	2	0	—		—		—		—		2	0
	2016[43]		1	0	0	0	—		—		—		1	0
	2017[44]		5	0	—		—		—		—		5	0
	2018[45]		1	0	0	0	—		—		—		1	0
	2019[46]		6	1	0	0	2	0	—		—		8	1
	Total		15	1	0	0	2	0	—		—		17	1
Nashville SC	2020	Major League Soccer	18	0	3	0	—		—		—		21	0
	2021		26	1	2	0	—		—		—		28	1
	Total		44	1	5	0	—		—		—		49	1
CF Montréal	2022	Major League Soccer	33	4	2	0	1	0	—		3	0	39	4
Celtic	2022–23	Scottish Premiership	14	1	—		5	0	1	0	—		20	1
	2023–24		32	1	—		4	0	0	0	6	0	42	1
	2024–25		22	4	—		1	0	3	0	10	0	36	4
	Total		68	6	—		10	0	4	0	16	0	98	6
Career total			159	12	7	0	13	0	4	0	19	0	202	12

International

As of match played November 20, 2024^[42]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Canada	2021	18	1
	2022	15	0
	2023	6	0
	2024	12	0
Total		51	1

As of March 29, 2021

Scores and results list Canada's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Johnston goal.

List of international goals scored by Alistair Johnston

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	March 29, 2021	IMG Academy, Bradenton, United States	Cayman Islands	6–0	11–0	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Celtic

• Scottish Premiership: 2022–23,^[47] 2023–24^[48]
• Scottish Cup: 2022–23,^[49] 2023–24^[50]
• Scottish League Cup: 2022–23,^[51] 2024–25^[52]

Individual

• Copa América Team of the Tournament: 2024^[39]

References

1. "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: Canada (CAN)" (PDF). FIFA. November 15, 2022. p. 6. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
2. "Alistair Johnston". CF Montréal. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
3. Alistair Johnston at the Canadian Soccer Association
4. Cudmore, John (October 27, 2021). "Aurora's Alistair Johnston has Canada's back on FIFA World Cup qualifying trail". Aurora Banner.
5. Davidson, Neil (November 19, 2020). "Canadian fullback Alistair Johnston turning heads with expansion Nashville SC". Toronto Star.
6. "Player Success". ANB Futbol. June 30, 2014.
7. "Seven ANB players travel to Europe". Soccer Academy Alliance Canada. April 22, 2016.
8. "Alistair Johnson profile". St. John's Red Storm.
9. "Vaughan SC Win Fourth U-21 Men's Ontario Cup in a Row". Ontario Soccer Association. July 23, 2017.
10. Davidson, Neil (January 9, 2020). "Canadian Alistair Johnston looks to take next soccer step in MLS SuperDraft". CTV News.
11. Davidson, Neil (January 9, 2020). "Crop of Canadians taken early in MLS draft". CBC.
12. "Nashville SC Extends Offers to 2020 MLS SuperDraft Selections | Nashville SC". February 25, 2020.
13. Lavigne, Keegan (June 3, 2020). "Aurora soccer player Johnston focuses on positive mental state during pandemic". The Toronto Observer.
14. Le Miere, Jason (August 17, 2020). "Nashville SC youngster Alistair Johnston hailed by coach Gary Smith after impressive first MLS start". Major League Soccer.
15. Everett, Tatum (November 16, 2020). "One-on-one with Nashville SC's Alistair Johnston on 2020 season and a look at playoffs". WZTV Nashville - Fox 17.
16. "Recap: Inter Miami CF 1, Nashville SC 5". Major League Soccer. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
17. "Nashville Soccer Club Announces 2021 Roster Decisions". Nashville SC. December 10, 2021.
18. "CF Montreal acquires CanMNT's Johnston". TSN. December 23, 2021.
19. "CF Montréal acquires Canadian international Alistair Johnston". CF Montréal. December 27, 2021.
20. "CF Montréal 3–0 Santos Laguna". CF Montréal. February 23, 2022.
21. "Charlotte FC 0–2 CF Montréal". CF Montréal. May 14, 2022.
22. "Alistair Johnston transferred to Celtic FC". CF Montréal. December 3, 2023.
23. "Celtic delighted to sign Canadian internationalist Alistair Johnston on five-year deal". Celtic F.C. December 3, 2022.
24. mlssoccer. "Agent Victor Wanyama: Celtic FC transfer easy sell for Alistair Johnston | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
25. Alistair Johnston reveals Wanyama Celtic advice, retrieved January 8, 2023
26. Maher, Ryan (January 2, 2023). "Kyogo strikes late at Ibrox as honours even in Glasgow derby". Celtic F.C.
27. "Scots Prem (Sky Sports)". Sky Sports. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
28. "St Mirren 1–5 Celtic - Scottish Premiership". March 5, 2023..
29. "Eightsome Reel… Celtic make history with another Treble triumph". June 3, 2023.
30. "Alistair Johnston signs new Celtic contract". www.celticfc.com. Celtic F.C. November 22, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
31. Davidson, Neil (December 23, 2020). "TFC's Ayo Akinola accepts invite to Canada national team camp". CBC.
32. "Larin, Davies team up to help Canada crush Bermuda in World Cup qualifier". Retrieved March 25, 2021.
33. Jacques, John (March 29, 2021). "Canada Coasts Past Cayman Islands In Historic Eleven-Goal Win".
34. "Davies, David highlight Canada's preliminary roster for Gold Cup". June 18, 2021.
35. "Canada Soccer Announces 2021 Gold Cup Roster". Canadian Soccer Association. July 1, 2021.
36. O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (November 13, 2022). "Canada announces 26-man squad for 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar". Canadian Premier League.
37. Tierney, Mitchell (June 7, 2023). "Former CPLers Loturi, Zator called up by Canada for 2023 Concacaf Nations League Finals". Canadian Premier League.
38. "CANMNT ANNOUNCE 2024 COPA AMÉRICA ROSTER". Canadian Soccer Association. June 15, 2024.
39. "The CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™ Best XI". copaamerica.com. July 31, 2024.
40. "'Proud Older Brother Moment' – Celtic Star's Brother Drafted by MLS Club". Celtsarehere.com. December 22, 2022.
41. "Canada's Malcolm Johnston looks to follow brother Alistair ahead of MLS SuperDraft". cbc.ca. CBC Sports.
42. Alistair Johnston at Soccerway
43. "Alistair Johnston 2016 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
44. "Alistair Johnston 2017 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
45. "Alistair Johnston 2018 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
46. "Alistair Johnston 2019 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
47. Watt, Martin (May 7, 2023). "Heart of Midlothian 0–2 Celtic: Ange Postecoglou's side seal back-to-back titles". BBC Sport. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
48. "Celtic thrash Kilmarnock to clinch 54th Scottish title". Reuters. May 15, 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
49. Duncan, Thomas (June 3, 2023). "Celtic 3–1 Inverness CT: Ange Postecoglou's side win Scottish Cup to claim treble". BBC Sport. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
50. "Celtic leave it late to beat Rangers and win Scottish Cup". Reuters. May 25, 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
51. Moffat, Colin (February 26, 2023). "Kyogo strikes twice as Celtic beat Rangers in final". BBC Sport. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
52. "Celtic 3–3 Rangers: Line-ups". BBC Sport. December 15, 2024. Retrieved December 15, 2024.

External links

• Alistair Johnston at Celtic FC
• Alistair Johnston at the Canadian Soccer Association