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Premier League interest in Celtic's Johnston

Premier League interest in Celtic's Johnston

Yahoo01-03-2025

Premier League clubs keen on Celtic full-back as Kilmarnock add midfield recruit for next season...
Fulham and Ipswich Town will step up the chase for Alistair Johnston this summer after the Premier League clubs expressed an interest in the 26-year-old Celtic right-back in the January transfer window. (The Athletic)
Norwich City are bracing themselves for Borja Sainz offers in the summer transfer window amid Celtic interest in the 24-year-old winger. (Football Insider)
Kilmarnock have agreed a pre-contract deal for Queen's Park midfielder Jack Thomson, with the 25-year-old currently recovering from an Achilles injury. (Daily Record)
Former Pittodrie hero Joe Harper says Aberdeen were right not to offer midfielder Jamie McGrath a four-year deal, with the 28-year-old having agreed to join Hibs under freedom of contract. (Press & Journal)
Former Scotland Under-21 midfielder Liam Burt has publicly hit out at Shamrock Rovers, the 26-year-old accusing the League of Ireland club of failing to communicate with him before his contract was terminated "by mutual agreement" following his loan spell at Shelbourne. (The Herald)
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