Everton have been rather shy in the transfer market but seem to be interested in Celtic’s Alistair Johnston.
The Toffees have made three signings so far, but only one new face. They turned loan deals for Tyrique George and Merlin Rohl into permanent ones, while also bringing in Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough.
Now, they are interested in right-back Alistair Johnston. Celtic manager Martin O’Neill even confirmed in a press conference Everton had made inquiries regarding the Canada international.
The 74-year-old addressed rumours linking West Ham to Arne Engels saying it didn’t remotely meet their valuation, for a start. And then added: “The same with Alistair [Johnston]. Everton have been in contact, I’m not sure there’s been a bid. (…) David [Moyes] did call me saying there would be contact.”
Why are Everton fans probably relieved to hear about interest in Alistair Johnston?
Player quality
Alistair Johnston has turned himself into a fan-favourite at Celtic Park due to his work rate and relentlessness. He joined the Scottish champions just after the 2022 World Cup and could make a similar career move following strong performances for co-hosts Canada in the 2026 edition of the tournament.
The 27-year-old is by no means a technical, creative force or a brilliant defender who will lock down opposing wingers. But he is a very solid option used to playing either an inverted role helping centrally in build-ups or a more traditional one, bombing down the wing putting crosses into the box.
His high motor allows him to be present at both phases constantly, providing passing options in attack and tracking back in defence.
He did have serious hamstring issues that kept him out of action for around eight months in total last season. But he finished the campaign fully fit and played the full 90 minutes in each of Canada’s five games in the World Cup.
Full-back problems
While Johnston is not a spectacular player, Everton’s squad shortcomings would turn him into one of the most important players.
The Toffees have problems on both sides. Nathan Patterson and Vitaliy Mykolenko are the only ‘senior’ natural full-back options. Left-back duo Adam Aznou and Elijah Campbell have featured more for the U21s than the first team.
David Moyes has mainly gone with 6’6” centre-back Jake O’Brien as starting right-back for most of his tenure. The Irish defender can do a job, but offers little compared to what a natural player could in the position – which the radar comparison to other full-backs show. He also struggles to defend shifty and quick wingers, like most tall centre-backs would.
His presence down the right wouldn’t be a problem if the Toffees had a more explosive left-back. Unfortunately for them, it’s Vitaliy Mykolenko, who is better defending than attacking and also offers very little going forward. The Ukrainian would also benefit from an explosive full-back partner down the right.
So it’s an awkward combination for a team to have, which places way too much responsibility on the wingers. This brings us to the next point.
Width down the right
Everton had a well-balanced squad heading into last season. Jack Grealish on the left, Iliman Ndiaye down the right, James Garner stepping close to the right-hand side to compensate the lack of width and whipping crosses from deep to a target man (either Beto or Thierno Barry).
But their whole team collapsed when Grealish got injured in January. Everton would go on to win just four of their final 16 Premier League matches without the Manchester City loanee.
Moyes deployed Merlin Rohl, originally a central midfielder, out on the right to end the campaign. Sure enough, their wide play had little effect on that side, with a central midfielder playing as right winger and a centre-back as right-back.
Iliman Ndiaye could play on either side, but the Toffees would then have to rely on Tyler Dibling and Tyrique George’s developing to the point of becoming starting-caliber wingers or hope Dwight McNeil rediscovers his finest form from his Burnley days. None of those seem like real possibilities, though.
Having an overlapping right-back while Ndiaye drifts inside would go a long way in giving the team more options going forward. And possibly stop ‘wasting’ O’Brien outside of central defence, where he performs better. They also need to rejuvenate this position, with 33-year-olds Michael Keane and James Tarkowski the main options. Recovering Jarrad Branthwaite would also help in this regard.