Celtic fans have been told not to lose any sleep over seeing Josip Juranovic sail off into the sunset as stand-in Alistair Johnston has the potential to be even better than the departed Croat.
World Cup star Juranovic finally checked out of Parkhead at the weekend as he headed to Union Berlin in a deal that will bank the Hoops £7.5m up front and could rise to £10m. The full back was one of the stars of Ange Postecoglou’s title winning campaign last season but had his heart set on a big money move to one of Europe’s top leagues.
Hoops hero Peter Grant rated Juranovic but he reckons his old club might even have a more promising prospect on their hands with his replacement. Johnston has slotted in seamlessly since his £3m move from Montreal in the MLS and the Canada World Cup star has clearly thrown himself into life at Parkhead. Grant has been seriously impressive with the 24-year-old and he’s convinced it won’t be long before fans will be saying Jura who?
He said: “The trick is to replace before you sell and that’s what Celtic have done here. Sometimes when you get money in for a player, selling clubs know you have cash and try to up the ante a bit.
“Celtic have done it the right way bringing Johnston in and it allowed Juranovic to move. It’s been good business and I believe Alastair Johnston could end up being even better.
“Will he be a good replacement? Absolutely. I’ve been really impressed with him on the pitch – and with the way he’s spoken off the pitch. Celtic use their fullback slightly different than usual, with them pushing into the middle of the pitch.
“But he’s picked it up really quick and adapted really well. What I’ve noticed if the game is narrow and it’s tight in there, he will stay wide and use his football intelligence.
“He’s got physicality and intelligence. You hear the way he talks about the game. He’s a learner. One of the best things about him is – even though we like to talk about Celtic’s attacking play – is the fact he’s a bit of a throw back.
“He talks about defending, first and foremost. That’s the most important thing and the rest is a bonus. Johnston has a lot of bonuses. He’s got a lot of energy and you can see his strength.
“He’s already an international with great experience and I just feel he’ll get better and better playing with good players. Johnston has all the tools to be a top full back.”
Grant is confident the right back role is in safe hands but as a former midfield general, it’s the engine room he takes most interest in. And he reckons the heart of the Hoops side is in ridiculously good shape.
Boss Postecoglou rested main men Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate for the Scottish Cup win against Morton at the weekend as Aaron Mooy and David Turnbull turned it on. New recruit Tomoki Iwata got a second half run out and looked the part and it now looks like the Hoops have an embarrassment of riches in the centre of the team.
Iwata made a solid first impressing for Grant and the question now if fitting them all in. He said: “Iwata’s got a great physique and is very powerful. He moves the ball quickly. People will say no one got close to him at the weekend and it was easy.
“But he made the space form himself so no one could get close to him. That’s an intelligent footballer.
“He just moves the ball about and he probably had more chances in 45 minutes than some had in the full game. He was always available and looks a strong character. That’s what the manager looks for.
“He wants power, physically and mentally. People say the middle of the pitch is where games are won and lost and you look at the options Celtic had the other day who didn’t play.
“I thought Celtic might have struggled when Callum McGregor was out, but Matt O’Riley adjusted his position and did really well. You have Hatate as well. Mooy has been excellent since he got back from the World Cup and he was looking fitter before Qatar.
“Turnbull been very unfortunate with injury problems but every time he plays he’s a goal threat. Ange has 20 odd players now and he could pick any team and you’d struggle work work out the strongest line up. The subs he makes doesn’t make the side any weaker.”
Postecoglou loves to refresh and regenerate his squad and there will be changes up top with Giorgos Giakoumakis set to follow Juranovic out the door and Korean hitman Oh Hyeon Gyu expected to arrive. Grant is like a lot of Hoops fans and is slightly surprised to see the Greek striker go – but he has total faith in the Parkhead gaffer’s eye for a player.
He said: “I don’t think the manager would let it happen unless he has a replacement lined up. I really like Giakoumakis. I was impressed when I saw him in Holland where he finished up top scorer with a team that got relegated, which says it all about his ability to stick the ball in the back of the net.
“He’s different to what Celtic have in the building right now and they have to replace that. But you have to trust and respect the manager. He won’t allow him to go unless he’s got a replacement.”
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