Why Everton are targeting Alistair Johnston as four key stats tell the story

Everton's search for a right-back could conclude with Celtic's Alistair Johnston.

Right-back is perhaps Everton's most concerning area at present, with just out-of-favour Nathan Patterson as a senior right-sided defender at the club.

Jake O'Brien has often been used on the right of a four-man defence, but centre-back is by far his best position.

The arrival of Patterson from Rangers has not quite gone as those on Merseyside would have hoped.

And now four years on from that signing, chiefs in L3 are seemingly hoping the other side of Glasgow will reap more rewards.

Everton's push for Johnston can also be explained by the data points that make the Canadian stick out.

How Alistair Johnston stands out as Everton eye move

Goodison News has been covering fresh reports that Everton are set to make an approach for Johnston this summer.

Unfortunately, Johnston was injured for most of last season with Celtic, so it would be unfair to judge him on the few minutes he had in Scotland.

But we can look back the previous campaign, where he had a much more prominent role for the Scottish champions.

According to Data.MB, in 2024-2025, among all full-backs in world football, Johnston comes top 10 in quite a few.

Many of those are offensive and forward-thinking statistics, traits that Blues fans have been crying out to see from their right-back.

On a per 90 basis, Johnston ranked fourth for accurate passes to the final third with 9.22.

He also tends to get on the ball quite frequently, coming in fifth for touches per 90 with 65.14.

Furthermore, he completed 21.07 forward passes per 90, a total that left him seventh among all fullbacks.

When it came to ranking just Scottish Premiership fullbacks, Johnston emerged in second for progressive actions per 90 with 14.53.

So, it is clear why Everton have added Johnston to their shortlist, as he would provide a more exciting option out wide in the attacking areas.

Why Johnston has already hinted he is open to a move

Johnston may not need much convincing when it comes to a potential move to the Premier League.

The English top flight is a league that he has been following for quite some time and he admitted so when he signed for Celtic.

Back in 2022, via Celtic's website, he stated: “My entire childhood was waking up and watching Premier League and Champions League."

Now, Johnston could have the chance to become one of those players that he saw on the TV during his formative years.

And that may be an opportunity he does not want to pass up.