Alistair Johnston may be heading to Celtic in January to rival Josip Juranovic for the right back slot but the Croatian has sent the Canadian packing from the World Cup.
It appears that a deal has been struck between Celtic and Montreal for 24-year-old Johnston, who also holds a UK passport through his Northern Irish mum meaning no work permit issues, and he will become Ange Postecoglou's second signing of the January window after the capture of Yuki Kobayashi from Vissel Kobe.
It's thought that Johnston is seen as the successor to Juranovic who has been linked with a move in January or the summer with a number of English Premier League clubs credited with an interest including Manchester United while La Liga side Atletico Madrid long-term admirers.
Sign up to Glasgow Live newsletter for more headlines straight to your inbox
However, the Croatian came out on top in Qatar. Unfortunately for Johnston, he was caught out twice as the Croatians came from behind to win 4-1.
Tottenham's Ivan Perisic slipped a pass between his legs to set up Andrej Kramaric who ran on to the pass to shoot home. Then Juranovic made a brilliant run forward and slipped the ball through to Marko Livaja who got away from Johnston to fire Croatia ahead. Kramaric grabbed a third goal in 70 minutes and then in injury time they scored again through Lovro Majer.
It means Canada cannot progress to the knockout phase but Johnston and his team-mates can do Juranovic and Croatia a favour. If they beat Morocco in their final game it would be a big benefit as the Croatians are taking on Belgium, who suffered a shock loss to the North Africans, in their final game.
Alphonso Davies had given the Canadians a fantastic early lead - their first goal at a World Cup Finals - but the 2018 beaten finalists showed their class.
READ NEXT:
- Michael Beale to Rangers takes huge step forward with QPR 'expecting' him to leave for Ibrox
- Ridvan Yilmaz talks Rangers future amid reports of transfer interest from Turkey
- Michael Beale to Rangers latest as Clint Hill delivers QPR inside track and Ibrox return verdict
