Sam Johnstone Joins Celtic on Loan to Compete with Sinisalo
Celtic have moved to reinforce one of the most scrutinised positions in their squad, bringing in former England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 33-year-old arrives not as a stop-gap, but as a direct challenger to Finland international Viljami Sinisalo at the heart of the Scottish champions’ defence of their title.
Johnstone, capped four times by England and last involved at international level in 2023, played 17 times for Wolves last season. His campaign stalled in December when he lost his Premier League starting place for a side that would ultimately be relegated, and he has not featured since an FA Cup defeat to Liverpool in early March.
Now he gets a reset in Glasgow.
“I’m buzzing to be here and I’m excited to get going,” said Johnstone, who came through the ranks at Manchester United and has previously had spells at Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace.
He did not need much persuading, but one phone call still left its mark.
“I didn’t need convincing by anyone, but Joe Hart rang me the other day just to reiterate what a place this is, what a great group of lads and how the fans are unbelievable.
“You hear about the size of the club, and you know about the size of the club, but just being here for a day, you notice how big the club is.
“And the pressure to win, which is what I like – pressure to win, pressure to perform and we all want to win trophies.”
That word – pressure – will follow him into every domestic and European fixture. Celtic’s goalkeepers live under a harsher spotlight than most: long spells of inactivity, then one moment that can define a season.
Johnstone insists he is ready to embrace that and to slot into what he calls a specialist unit within the squad.
“I think everyone knows the goalie groups are a tight-knit group. We work closely together every day and hopefully I can help Vil and he can help me, and we push each other and we support each other along with the other goalies and the goalie coaches.”
Celtic’s need for experience between the posts sharpened earlier this year. Kasper Schmeichel, who had been first choice since the summer of 2024, played his final game in February before retiring due to a shoulder injury. His departure left a void not just in goal but in the dressing room.
Manager Martin O’Neill believes Johnstone has the pedigree to fill it.
“He is a quality keeper with excellent experience at the highest level,” O’Neill said. “I think he will be a very good addition to our goalkeeping team.”
For Celtic, it is another decisive move in a summer built around sustaining domestic dominance and avoiding the kind of European lapses that have punished them in recent seasons. For Johnstone, it is something more personal: a chance to prove that a lost starting place at a relegated club was a detour, not a decline.
The bar at Celtic Park is clear. Clean sheets, trophies, and no hiding places.
