---
title: "Everton learn stance of Celtic star as transfer boost emerges"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/everton-alistair-johnston-transfer-stance/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Gary Gowers"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2026-08-04T06:14:46Z"
modified: "2026-09-22T12:55:07Z"
---

# Everton learn stance of Celtic star as transfer boost emerges

[Everton](https://readeverton.com/) have received a boost in their pursuit of a Celtic defender, with the player himself said to be pushing for a Merseyside move.

Alistair Johnston played the full 90 minutes as Celtic opened their Premiership title defence against Dundee on Monday night, and according to [The Bobble](https://x.com/ElBobble/status/2084376033151549541?s=20), Everton had representatives at the game to watch him.

That hasn’t been confirmed elsewhere, but it fits a pursuit that’s been building for over a week — one Martin O’Neill has already confirmed, revealing David Moyes called him personally to flag Everton’s interest.

The Bobble’s post adds that Johnston has made his preference clear: he wants the move to the [Hill Dickinson Stadium](https://readeverton.com/tag/hill-dickinson-stadium/) to happen.

It’s a stance [Sky Sports Scotland’s coverage](https://x.com/ScotlandSky/status/2084340580398555414?s=20) backed up. James McFadden, working alongside Kris Boyd, said he could see why Moyes rates the 27-year-old so highly — praising his output at both ends of the pitch — while cautioning that Celtic shouldn’t sell without a ready-made replacement lined up.

Celtic are said to value Johnston at closer to £14-15m, well above Everton’s opening numbers, and O’Neill has stressed there’s no obligation to sell a player with three years left on his contract.

A right-back has been Moyes’ clearest priority all summer, with Jake O’Brien and Merlin Rohl deputising there in pre-season.

Everton’s business elsewhere is tracked in full on our [live transfer tracker](https://readeverton.com/transfer-tracker/).