MAPLE GRIEF
If AJ turns on style again for Canada it will have big clubs queuing up for him and add to Celtic’s transfer troubles
ALISTAIR JOHNSTON will have the eyes of the globe on him tomorrow night.
That must be an uneasy feeling for Celtic fans.
At a time when punters are desperate for news of incomings, the notion of more attention being placed onto their star names such as Johnston must send shivers down spines.
I’m going to Houston myself for the last-16 game between Canada and Morocco and this World Cup has been some adventure so far.
Kicking it off inside the Azteca Stadium when Mexico got a win on the opening night was a memory I’ll treasure, and it’s gone past like a blur since.
I honestly lose track of where I am and where I’m going next at times, but that almost makes it even better. It’s like being lost in a fog of brilliant football.
Lost in a fog might also be apt when it comes to describing Celtic’s dealings in the transfer market.
I’m not going to go on again about this in yet another column because I feel like a broken record.
On one hand, I’m absolutely gobsmacked at the lack of activity thus far because of the huge needs of the squad.
It’s less than a month until the competitive action gets underway and, given what unfolded last season, it almost beggars belief Celtic have not been more active to this point.
Yet, at the same time, it doesn’t shock me because, let’s be honest, it’s been happening for years and nothing seems to change.
I don’t know what Martin O’Neill is thinking at the moment about the recruitment work, but I do know he needs bodies with quality – and plenty of them.
As has been discussed many times, he had to add anyway and that was even before main men start walking out of the door, which looks destined to happen.
Top of that cast list is Daizen Maeda. I’ve been able to see him play over here during the catalogue of matches I have covered.
It’s been obvious for a while that he looks like going, having been denied a move this time last year and he’s done nothing to damage his reputation at the World Cup.
Not many boys manage to score in one of these competitions, never mind two.
So the fact Maeda added to his strike in Qatar with his effort against Sweden last weekend enhances his reputation. It was a goal right out of his playbook.
His rapid movement away from a defender from out to in to meet a through pass and finish was typical of the Japanese.
It seems to me it’s now all about what fee Celtic are going to get for him as opposed to any chance of him hanging around.
The last-32 loss to Brazil for his team would have been sore and I saw some of his comments after the match about needing to improve his levels.
I don’t know what the exact message was, but, put it this way, I doubt he’ll be doing his next work at Celtic.
Benjamin Nygren did not have quite the same impact for Sweden, despite a flying start to the competition when he played his part in thumping Tunisia.
He’s neat and tidy, but several of his team-mates showed more dynamism and he lost his starting place after a hammering from Netherlands.
A last-32 exit to France should ensure he is back in good time for the domestic campaign, starting with a holiday in the bag before he gets there.
It’s funny. Nygren was signed by this point last year by Celtic.
A rare piece of early-ish business in a window and is it any coincidence he settled so quickly and hit the ground running due to the fact he got a pre-season? I’d say not.
Nygren has his failings, he’s not perfect, but 21 goals from a midfielder in the first season at any new club was a terrific return. It has attracted some interest, but my gut feeling is he’ll stay, especially if Arne Engels and Reo Hatate depart the midfield scene, which at this stage seems highly plausible.
Johnston is one that fascinates me when it comes to whether or not Celtic get big offers this window.
In many ways, having been signed by Ange Postecoglou during the last World Cup, he’s served his time and should not be denied a chance to go if the right package is put onto the Parkhead table, having been there for three-and-a-half years.
But Johnston looks settled and, if I’m Celtic, I’d be doing everything to make sure he’s perfectly happy where he is.
No harm to Anthony Ralston, Colby Donovan or even Julian Araujo, but none of them came
Johnston looks settled. I’d be doing everything to make sure he’s perfectly happy
close to giving the team what Johnston does during the Canadian’s injury absence last season.
The difference when he came back for the final few games was obvious.
Johnston’s got so many attributes. He covers ground, defends strongly, he’s good in one-on-one duels, seems an excellent character for a dressing room and also has an ability make things happen in the opposition half.
If the Celtic fans and the pundits can see all that, you can be sure clubs in bigger leagues are also seeing it and helping his team into the World Cup last eight by overcoming the African kings will only elevate his status.
I’m sure the Celtic fans will be cheering for him to shine. Just not so brightly as to glare into the eyes of more scouts.