Alistair Johnston has claimed that he is "exactly where I want to be" as he enters the prime years of his career after signing a contract extension at Celtic until the summer of 2029.
The 26-year-old right-back joined Celtic at the end of 2022 from CF Montreal and has since established himself as a first-team regular under manager Brendan Rodgers, making 79 appearances and scoring six goals.
Johnston has played a crucial role in the Hoops' recent successes, helping the club win a record-breaking eighth domestic treble in the second half of the 2022-23 season before winning a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double last season.
Speaking to Celtic's official website after penning his new contract, Johnston said: "I am just delighted to extend my contract with Celtic. I got a brilliant welcome to the club in 2022 and ever since I have had the best of times, loving every minute as part of such a great institution and I wanted to continue to be part of that.
"It's an absolute honour to pull that famous jersey on every week and to have achieved so much success with my teammates already has been so satisfying. But of course, we want more and that is our focus.
🍁 We are delighted to announce that Alistair Johnston has agreed a new contract with the club which will run until the summer of 2029!
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) November 22, 2024
Well deserved, AJ 💚#AJ2029 | #CelticFC🍀
Johnston: 'Playing for Celtic is special, it's exactly where I want to be'
"It is a real delight to be working day in, day out in such a great set-up, working with the gaffer and the staff who have such ambition for success and with such a great group of lads in the team.
"Of course my teammates have been everything to me - it is a brilliant dressing room I am privileged to be part of, with real quality guys beside me and I know we are all, collectively looking to work as hard as we can to bring our fans even more success over the next few years."
Johnston added: "I was ecstatic when the club brought up the idea of extending my contract. It was something I hadn't been thinking about too much because I still had over three years left on my deal, so I focused on my football, helping the team win and performing at my best.
"It obviously shows that the club value me and they believe I'm an important part of this team. In terms of reasons to sign, for me, it was simple. Playing for this club is special.
"Walking out and playing in front of 60,000, some of the atmospheres in matches that I've been a part of in my two years here have been unbelievable.
"I'm entering the prime years, some would say, of a footballer's career, so it's exactly where I want to be to have my prime years, continue to grow and see what I can become."
© Imago
Rodgers hails "fantastic" Johnston after contract renewal
Celtic boss Rodgers added: "It is fantastic news for the club and our fans that Ali has agreed this new contract.
"In a relatively short period of time he has established himself as a fantastic player for Celtic, showing real quality and just delivering performance after performance for us, week in, week out.
"He has a phenomenal work ethic and attitude, brilliant hunger and positivity, such an honest love for the game and a real desire to improve in everything he does.
"These are the qualities which make a great player and he has certainly been that for Celtic.
"Everyone at the club felt it crucial that we extend Ali's contract with Celtic and I am delighted that we have been able to do this."
Johnston, who earned his 50th and 51st international caps for Canada earlier this month, is set to start for Celtic in Saturday's Premiership clash with Hearts at Tynecastle.
Oliver Thomas
