We are merely days away from Celtic taking to the pitch again for their Premiership opener. Time sure does fly, especially in a summer that has the World Cup.

Of course, the World Cup can always throw up a few problems for clubs like Celtic, if their players do well at the tournament.

Four years back, we had seen Josip Juranovic leave on the back of an excellent 2022 World Cup. This time around, it could be the one who had been brought in to replace the Croatian at right-back, Alistair Johnston.

According to The Herald, Everton are preparing to firm up their interest in Johnston. Celtic would prefer to retain the Canadian international, but the Scottish champions are bracing themselves for a bid in excess of £ 10 million.

The wishes of the player need to be taken into consideration as well, just as was the case with Daizen Maeda, who left for Ipswich Town just some days back.

Johnston is 28 years of age. And let's not forget that he has a long history of injury problems.

Johnston's stock is high on the back of an excellent World Cup campaign with Canada but this might very well be his last chance to get a move of this calibre.

If Johnston does end up leaving the club, Celtic will need to find the right replacement for him. And Celtic might know the perfect one already.

Jack Dawson of Football Insider has suggested that Julian Araujo would surely become Celtic’s top priority target this summer as Everton eye a swoop for Johnston.

The report goes on to state that although it is unclear if Bournemouth would be willing to part with Araujo at this point in the window, Celtic would surely now push for a move.

Araujo spent the second half of the 25/26 campaign on loan at Celtic Park. And it is hard to remember someone who had endeared himself to the fans so quickly.

Araujo was a solid performer. But even more importantly, he seemed to get what it means to be a Celtic supporter.

Everybody will remember Araujo jumping into the stands to celebrate with the fans after scoring a 97th-minute winner against Kilmarnock.

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Unfortunately, he picked up an injury and missed the final few months of the season. And since then, he has returned to Bournemouth.

If Johnston does end up staying on at Celtic, the club might not need Araujo. They have able backup in the form of Colby Donovan, for when needed.

But if Johnston does end up leaving, they will need someone capable of starting every game. And signing someone like Araujo would not be a bad idea.