Key Celtic starter tipped to leave the club next year

Celtic have done a pretty good job when it comes to agreeing contract extensions with a number of their important players. It is vital that they not only hold on to their best performers but keep them happy as well. Of course, just because they have signed a new deal does not mean that they could not be on their way out in the future.

One player who was handed a contract extension recently is Anthony Ralston. And it might have something to do with Alistair Johnston potentially leaving the club in the near future.

At least that seems to be the view of Frank McAvennie. The former Celtic player believes that Johnston is destined to leave in a year or so, which is the reason why the club have agreed an extension with Ralston.

As reported by Football Insider, McAvennie said:

"“Ralston knows Johnston is the number one.“But I think he is destined to leave in a year or so and that is why they have tied Ralston down,“Things are looking up because people are coming back from injury now. I really want to see a full team out and be really impressed by the performance.”"

Key Celtic starter tipped to leave the club next year

A lot of Celtic players have been linked with a move away in recent times. Johnston is not someone who falls under that category though.

Johnston returned from an injury just earlier this season and is back to being a consistent starter in the team. He has been a great performer for Celtic ever since he arrived in the January transfer window and has done a great job of filling the boots of Josip Juranovic, something that most fans felt would have been difficult.

Not only is Johnston a very good player but also the type of character that you need at a club like Celtic. Now, it remains to be seen whether he does indeed end up leaving the club in the near future.

If he does, it is hard to believe that Ralston would be his replacement. The Scot has a lot of great qualities but he still does not seem like someone who can start for Celtic on a regular basis.