What Alistair Johnston's injury means for Everton as right-back hunt continues

Everton's right-back search has taken another twist with news of Alistair Johnston's injury at Celtic.

The push to address the issue at right-back has been a long-winded saga with many names emerging over the last few months.

However, interest in Johnston was quite concrete with Everton entering talks with Celtic.

A compromise over a deal could not be agreed, with Everton deciding to put those talks on hold as they looked elsewhere.

However, the key part is that interest was not entirely abandoned and that they were still assessing him as an option.

But that may now be the case after what has emerged out of Scotland relating to Johnston.

How long is Alistair Johnston set to be out for?

The last thing Everton needed was for more options to be off the table this summer.

The Blues have already seen Djed Spence inch closer to joining Inter Milan, with the Englishman a reported target for David Moyes.

Now, it seems Johnston will also be added to that list this window in another blow to their right-back hunt.

According to the Daily Record, Celtic now fear Johnston will face a "lengthy spell" on the sidelines following an injury picked up against Kilmarnock.

At minimum, the Canadian is said to be out injured for Celtic's two Champions League qualifer legs against LASK which take place on 19 August and 25 August.

That would just leave around one week for Johnston to emerge as fit for Everton to potentially make their swoop again.

Johnston was a player that Moyes seemingly wanted as a priority, with the Everton manager even contacting Martin O'Neill personally.

The Johnston warning Everton must now heed

Even if Johnston is able to return before the end of window, this should be a warning sign to Everton.

Last season, the right-back was out injured for most of the campaign, making just seven SPFL appearances for the Glasgow side.

The 27-year-old could be showing early signs of becoming injury prone following that hamstring blow in 2025-2026.

For Everton, they simply cannot afford to take that risk, even if those two injuries are unrelated and ultimately turn out to have no correlation.

Getting the right-back signing right this window is absolutely paramount for the L3 outfit.

Now, attentions will certainly be fully focused elsewhere on the market, with plenty other options still out there.