Everyone at Celtic is surely thrilled by the news that Alistair Johnston has signed a new five-year contract this morning.
It’s exactly the kind of announcement we were hoping for as we head into the weekend and the challenging fixtures that lie ahead.
A.J. has been one of the standout performers at the club this season and, in truth, one of the best since his arrival.
There’s growing talk of him as a future captain, and his commitment to a long-term deal underscores his happiness at the club.
This contract is the perfect recognition of his contributions and an ideal boost for every Celtic supporter.
But let me tell you—it’s more than just good news. This announcement was a piece of stage-managed brilliance, sending a clear message across the city and to the media: not only are we on top, but we’re confident enough to flaunt it. The timing of this couldn’t be more deliberate. It’s evident this deal has been finalised for a while.
Brendan Rodgers himself hinted recently, during a fan event, that good news about Johnston was imminent.
The fact that this was revealed on the morning of the AGM? No coincidence. It ensured that attendees began their day in the best possible spirits, armed with an uplifting headline. Everyone walking into that AGM was already buoyed by positivity, creating a celebratory atmosphere.
Cynical? Perhaps. Manipulative? Without a doubt. But as someone with a background in political campaigning, I can’t help but admire the craftsmanship. This wasn’t designed to deflect criticism or win people over—spirits were high regardless. Instead, it amplified the good mood, projecting an image of Celtic as a club that is thriving, focused, and firing on all cylinders.
For someone like me, who enjoys the art of public relations, this is a masterstroke. Good PR works best when it’s timed perfectly, and this is a textbook example. It also adds pressure on Ibrox, whose own AGM looms in a week and a half. They’ll now feel the heat to present something positive to their supporters.
I’ll be watching to see how they try to manage that and, as always, will offer the kind of scrutiny that the mainstream media won’t.
Celtic’s announcement is more than just a shrewd PR move; it’s an endorsement of a player who has been exceptional on and off the pitch. Johnston exudes quality—not just in his performances but in the way he handles the media, interacts with fans, and represents the club.
If he is indeed being groomed as Callum McGregor’s eventual successor, then Celtic couldn’t hope for a better candidate.
So yes, while the announcement carried a hint of theatre, the underlying truth is all positive.
It’s a brilliant piece of news for the club and fans alike. This kind of proactive approach to securing key players—and hopefully the manager as well, in time—bodes well for the future. Brendan Rodgers spoke positively today about his commitment to the club, and although he hasn’t signed a new deal yet, I suspect it’s only a matter of time.
For now, Celtic is in as strong a position as we could hope for heading into a crucial spell of games. Credit is due to everyone at the club for making today such a positive day. Special congratulations, of course, to Alistair Johnston, whose exceptional performances and ambassadorship for Celtic have rightly been rewarded.
And that, my friends, is how you announce a story.
I was not convinced about AJ when he first arrived, there were times when I doubted the move was going to be a success, but he came on leaps and bound very quickly, became one of our mainstays, an automatic choice for that position and he has earned his new contract. Long may he be a part of an improving Celtic side and well done Celtic for acknowledging his valuable contribution to the team effort.