Under Nancy, expect “some beautiful football,” says Alistair Johnston

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The Celtic Star

·8 December 2025

Under Nancy, expect “some beautiful football,” says Alistair Johnston

Alistair Johnston has given a positive injury update and reveals that he is planning to be back in action for the second half of the season as he sets his sights on playing World Cup football in his homeland as Canada is one of three hosting nations for next summer’s finals.

Alistair Johnston at Hampden after Celtic’s 3-1 win over theRangers on 2 November 2025 Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

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“I’m doing well. I had to get surgery, but I am feeling much better now and hopefully, that will clear up any potential re-injury and I will be ready to go for the second half of the season, and then have a good lead-up to the World Cup,” the Celtic defender told TSN.

Performance is everything to the new Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy, who got off to a disappointing start yesterday afternoon as the Champions went down 2-1 at home to Hearts who moved three points clear of Celtic, having played a game more.

Alistair Johnston of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier Sports League Cup match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on August 15, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Johnston worked with Nancy at Montreal and credits the Frenchman will winning him his move to Celtic, so it’s exciting but also rather strange for AJ to have his old manager from back home coming into Celtic as the new manager being the eventual permanent replacement for Brendan Rodgers after a short, sweet and eventual interlude under the legendary Celtic figure Martin O’Neill.

Celtic Manager Wilfried Nancy Celtic Team Training and press conference, Lennoxtown 05 December 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

“I am excited to have him here,” Johnston said. “The biggest thing for him is that it is different in the MLS – you don’t get nearly as much time over here. At big clubs like Celtic, he knows very well that yes, you want to implement your ideas, but you need to win as well.

“Hopefully, we will be able to do a lot of winning and also play some beautiful football because that’s what Wilfried’s system is all about.”

Mid-season changes at Celtic are rare, perhaps going all the way back to Lou Macari’s days in charge, but it’s been that kind of tales from the unexpected season at the club. It certainly surprised Alistair Johnston.

Celtic Manager Wilfried Nancy Celtic Team Training 05 December 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

“It wasn’t something I expected after Brendan Rodgers resigned – that was a massive whirlwind. I had never really been in a club situation where the manager left under those circumstances, especially mid-season,” the Celtic right-back said.

On the World Cup coming to Canada, it certainly seem more real now that the draw had been made although the Canadians will have to wait to March 2026 to find out which European team will complete their four team group, with perhaps Italy being the most likely.

“It will be an unbelievable experience,” Johnston admitted. “The crowd will be frantically and over-the-top excited for Canada, who could alternatively end up facing Switzerland.”There are some difficult teams there. Switzerland has a number of players at a really high level,” however for Johnston, Italy would be the big one.

HOUSTON,TEXAS. JUNE 24th: Alistair Johnston 2 of Canada during the match between Canada and El Salvador in the Concacaf Gold Cup 2025, held at the Shell Energy Stadium, in Houston ,Texas PHOTO BY FABIAN MEZA/ STRAFFON

He reckons Canada versus Italy in Toronto would be extra special. “It would be the biggest event in Canadian sporting history,” the Celtic star said.

Johnston’s return to full fitness will be a welcome boost for Wilfried Nancy and his tactical approach he is introducing at Celtic. No-one in the Celtic will be as well versed in the way the new manager wants his team to set up that the Canadian but perhaps Nancy is already eyeing some MLS signing for January?

Alistair is right about the importance of winning matches at Celtic. It’s a demand and a reality that cannot be brushed aside, with crucial games against Roma in the Europa League and St Mirren at Hampden on Sunday in the Premier Sports Cup Final.

The Premier Sports Cup. Photo AJ for The Celtic Star

Wind those two Wilfried and that will be you up and running having experienced a big European night under the lights at Paradise and also lifted your first silverware as Celtic manager.

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