Celtic’s biggest strength in recent times has most definitely been their recruitment. Over the course of 18 months, they have been successful in identifying players like Jota, Kyogo Furuhashi, Matt O’Riley, Reo Hatate, Josip Juranovic, Cameron Carter-Vickers and several others. That is impressive to say the least. Both the club and Ange Postecoglou deserve a lot of credit for that.
Hopefully, there is more to come in this department and Celtic’s two latest additions are Yuki Kobayashi and Alistair Johnston.
While Kobayashi will surely get some time to settle in, Johnston might need to hit the ground running at Parkhead, with Juranovic being linked with clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Real Sociedad and others.
Thus, it is very possible that Johnston might find himself as the starting right-back at Celtic Park in the not too distant future. And it looks like the Canadian has earned comparisons to Cesar Azpilicueta for his style of football over the years. As reported by 67 Hail Hail, he told fan media:
"“A lot of people have said I play like Cesar Azpilicueta.“Just the flexibility and consistency he provides, the one-v-one defending. He’s so solid week in week out.“I think that’s a great player I’d like to continue to model my game around.”"
Celtic player has been compared to fantastic and underrated Chelsea legend
It is hard not to feel that someone like Azpilicueta often does not get the full credit that he deserves.
Arriving at Chelsea in 2012, he has played all across the backline for a club of that stature and every position at a high level. He kept out Ashley Cole at left-back, Branislav Ivanovic at right-back and John Terry at centre-back. That takes some doing, even if they were towards the end of their careers.
When the club signed the Spaniard, there were little to no expectations but he has gone on to win every trophy possible at Stamford Bridge and become a club captain and legend along the way.
If Johnston is able to have a career anywhere near as good as Azpilicueta, then Celtic have pulled off another transfer masterstroke.