Celtic have extend Alistair Johnston’s contract significantly and put him on par with the highest paid players.

Celtic have extend Alistair Johnston’s contract significantly and put him on par with the highest paid players.

Celtic are set to open talks with Alistair Johnston over a new deal to bring him in line with the club’s top earners.

The Hoops hierarchy have got the transfer window out of the way and want to continue the trend of tying up their top stars on long-term contracts. The Canadian international still has three years left on his existing deal but they want to extend that and hand him improved terms.

The 25-year-old moved to Scotland from CF Montreal back two years ago and has pretty much made the right-back slot his own. Johnston is still on the existing contract when he first arrived at Celtic. Brendan Rodgers is keen to bring him in line with some of his other first-team stars. The Hoops have already made initial contact with the player’s representatives to get the ball rolling.

Johnston has returned to Lennoxtown this week after being away on international duty with Canada. The full-back limped out of the 2-1 win over USA with a hamstring issue but Canadian boss Jesse Marsch doesn’t think it will be too major. Johnston will be assessed by the Celtic medical team before the Hoops get ready to return to Premiership action against Hearts.