‘Sign a Right-Back’ – Andy Burnham’s Everton plea as Celtic stand firm on Johnston | OneFootball

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has made his transfer wish clear to Everton as uncertainty continues to surround the club’s pursuit of Celtic defender Alistair Johnston.

The Toffees have been strongly linked with the Canada international this summer, although several obstacles remain despite reports suggesting Johnston is keen on making the switch to Merseyside.

Burnham has now joined the conversation by calling on Everton to finally address their long-standing problem on the right-hand side of defence.

The lifelong Everton supporter and season-ticket holder has had considerably more responsibility on his plate since succeeding Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street last month.

However, that has seemingly done little to distract him from events at his football club, particularly the prospect of Jake O’Brien continuing to operate out of position at right-back.

Speaking to GiveMeSport about Everton’s plans for the remainder of the transfer window, Burnham said: “I’m hoping they may put some investment in this summer.

“I’m hoping Jack Grealish will give us one more year, at least I hope more than one, because he was a joy to watch last year and he brings a character that Evertonians can completely buy into.

“So the signs are good but there is one thing that I would just ask: sign a right-back.

“We need a right-back. Poor old Jake [O’Brien] can’t do another season at right-back. He’s a good player; he’s a great centre-back. Buy a right-back.”

Johnston appears to fit the profile Everton are searching for, but completing a deal with Celtic is proving far from straightforward.

The Scottish champions are reportedly demanding somewhere in the region of £15million for the 27-year-old and have so far shown little appetite to compromise on their valuation.

That position has prompted Everton to explore alternative options as they attempt to strengthen the position before the window closes.

There remains a possibility, however, that the situation could shift later this month.

Reports on Merseyside have indicated that Celtic may become more receptive to Johnston’s departure once their Champions League play-off against LASK Linz has been completed.

For Martin O’Neill and his side, securing a place in the league phase of Europe’s premier competition is the immediate priority.

Johnston is an important part of those plans, and sanctioning his exit before the two-legged showdown without first securing a suitable replacement would represent an enormous gamble.

Such a decision would also be unlikely to go down well among the Celtic support, particularly with so much riding on the LASK tie.

Everton may therefore have to remain patient if Johnston is their preferred solution at right-back, but Burnham has left little doubt over the position he believes his club must strengthen before deadline day.

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