Celtic have opened talks with Wolverhampton Wanderers over a loan deal for England international goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. The 33-year-old, who has four senior caps for the Three Lions, has been offered to the Scottish champions as they aim to finalise a move before the transfer window closes.
According to a report from the Daily Record, Celtic have firmed up their interest in the Wolves shot-stopper after he was initially offered to the club earlier this month. The proposed deal would be an initial loan from the Championship side. Manager Martin O’Neill is driving the move, with the club sitting top of the Premiership with a perfect record of three wins from three games, scoring eight goals and conceding just two.
Why is Celtic targeting a goalkeeper?
Celtic boss Martin O’Neill is keen to bring in an experienced keeper to fight it out with Viljami Sinsalo. This push comes despite the team's strong defensive start to the season, which has them two points clear at the summit. The club's interest in reinforcements is partly influenced by a reluctance to spend large sums on a goalkeeper after missing out on Champions League qualification this season. Johnstone, whose last England appearance was in 2023, represents a proven option who could provide immediate competition.
The pursuit is not limited to one target. Celtic are also monitoring Blackburn Rovers' goalkeeper Balazs Toth. The Hungarian is in the final year of his contract at Ewood Park, but Rovers are holding out for a fee of around £4 million, a figure that currently makes a deal unlikely for the Glasgow side.
How does this fit into Celtic's wider transfer plans?
The search for a goalkeeper is one part of a broader recruitment drive at Parkhead. The club is also closing in on deals for Parma midfielder Oliver Sorensen and PSV Eindhoven defender Joel van den Berg. Furthermore, O’Neill's squad is looking to add both a right-back and a left-back before the deadline passes. These moves are being plotted as Celtic prepare for a top-of-the-table clash away to second-placed St Mirren on September 5th, a key fixture you can track on our fixtures page.
What is the current squad situation at Celtic?
While the team enjoys a four-game winning run in all competitions, following a 2-1 victory over Falkirk on August 29th, the treatment room remains busy. Key players currently sidelined include Alistair Johnston, Jota, Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor, and Kasper Høgh, as listed on our injuries page. Adding an experienced figure like Johnstone could offer stability during this period of absentees. His potential arrival would add depth to a squad that already leads the standings with nine points.
The final days of the window will be decisive. Celtic are working to get the Johnstone deal over the line on a temporary basis, while continuing to assess other options like Balazs Toth. The club's next match is against St Mirren on September 5th.
