Martin O’Neill has confirmed Alistair Johnston’s potential move to Everton has “disappeared” after the Celtic defender suffered an injury setback.
Johnston was forced off during Saturday’s win over Kilmarnock and is now expected to remain sidelined until at least the middle of September.
Everton had been actively pursuing the Canada international this summer, although a gap between the clubs’ valuations had stalled negotiations, with the situation expected to be revisited after Celtic’s Champions League play-off against LASK.
However, Johnston’s injury means any prospect of a move before the transfer deadline is now in serious doubt.
Discussing Arne Engels’ imminent move to West Ham, O’Neill revealed Johnston had continued playing despite an offer being on the table.
He said: “Alistair played for us when there was an offer on the table.
“He hurt himself, things like that may disappear.
“I suppose Arne was probably worried that the same thing might happen, and from a playing viewpoint, I can understand that.”
O’Neill then confirmed Johnston will not recover before the transfer window closes.
He continued: “He’ll be out for a few weeks. By the time he’s fit, it will be past the transfer deadline.
“He’s been very stoic about it, really. He played having had a very, very good World Cup. He played here, did a little bit of training with us.
“We put him into the opening game, he got through that, and it’s just a shame for him, really.
“But it’s not long-term. It’s something that he’ll get over, and he’ll be back. He’s a really good player.
“So disappointment, perhaps, that that disappears. He’ll be back, and he’ll be raring to go.
“Alistair helped us out immensely in coming in and playing without a great deal of preparation before and after the World Cup. You get a couple of weeks’ break. It’s not that much.
“It’s the same for a lot of international players, but he played without complaining at all, and it’s just a bit of a shame.
“But that’s football”.
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