Celtic are being careful with the exit of one player, which will be music to the ears of fans, but it could create a big problem. The Bhoys are bracing themselves to lose another vital player having come into the season expecting to lose Daizen Maeda, who has already left, and Arne Engels, who will leave in the coming weeks.
Full-back Alistair Johnston now looks likely to join the list of exits, with Everton pushing to strike a deal. Reports claim they want a £14million deal, but Celtic may well have a bigger fee in mind, with Johnston realistically carrying a value of around £20million in the modern market.
But it's not just the fee that is concerning the Bhoys.
Celtic worried about the timing of Johnston exit
Celtic already have a lot of work to do this summer, and fans will already be concerned about the club's ability, or perhaps inability, to source and sign a Johnston replacement.
Celtic have until the start of September to find a replacement, but the big concern for the Bhoys is that they have their Champions League qualifying playoffs on August 18 and August 20, facing Austrian champions LASK.
If the Bhoys lose Johnston before that first date, it is unlikely they will find a replacement in time, and Johnston is a vital starter. The reliable defender is going to be hard to replace, and especially with clubs knowing Celtic will have a fair amount of money to spend.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Celtic not wanting to sell Johnston before the playoffs is blocking the deal. It's reported that the situation is a 'major issue'.
Johnston may take matters into his own hands
Meanwhile, Johnston is said to have asked to leave Celtic for Everton, and for now, that's as far as the situation has gone, but Celtic's stance could force Johnston into action.
As a player who has a serious injury in his recent past, he may well be concerned that playing could end up scuppering a move that will be worth big money to him and his family.
It doesn't seem like something Johnston would do, but players in this situation regularly start blasting balls around in training in a bid to force clubs into a deal.
Celtic may want Johnston to play in those play-offs, but that does assume the player will remain professional and play. He might, but there is also every chance he forces a move, and if Everton end up walking away, there is no guarantee the Bhoys will be able to reconcile with the player, who will feel as though he has been robbed of a big move.
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