Sam Johnstone Joins Celtic on Loan from Wolves
Sam Johnstone has swapped the Midlands for Glasgow, joining Celtic on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers as the Scottish champions reshape their goalkeeping department.
The 33-year-old former England international arrives to compete directly with Finland’s Viljami Sinisalo, stepping into a role that has carried real weight at Celtic Park in recent years.
A fresh start after Wolves frustration
Johnstone’s move comes after a stop-start campaign at Wolves. He made 17 appearances last season but lost his Premier League starting spot in December for a side that ultimately went down, and he has not featured since an FA Cup defeat to Liverpool in early March.
For a keeper who collected the last of his four England caps in 2023, the lack of minutes has bitten hard. Celtic offer something different: pressure, expectation, and trophies on the line.
"I'm buzzing to be here and I'm excited to get going," Johnstone told club media, his first words as a Celtic player underscoring the sense of release after a difficult spell.
Hart’s call and Celtic’s pull
Johnstone, who came through the ranks at Manchester United and has had spells at Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace, did not need much persuading. But one phone call still stood out.
"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."
Hart’s endorsement carried weight. The former Celtic No 1 knows exactly what it means to stand in front of a packed Celtic Park with a title race on the line.
"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," Johnstone said. "And the pressure to win, which is what I like – pressure to win, pressure to perform and we all want to win trophies."
That pressure is no marketing line. At Celtic, goalkeepers live it every week.
Filling the void after Schmeichel
Celtic’s need in goal has been growing since Kasper Schmeichel’s enforced farewell. The Dane had been first choice since the summer of 2024, but his last appearance came in February before a shoulder injury led to his retirement.
His exit left a gap in experience at the back. Johnstone, with Premier League and international pedigree, walks straight into that space.
"He is a quality keeper with excellent experience at the highest level," manager Martin O'Neill said of his new signing. "I think he will be a very good addition to our goalkeeping team."
A tight-knit union in the most scrutinised position
Johnstone knows exactly what kind of environment he is walking into behind the scenes.
"I think everyone knows the goalie groups are a tight-knit group," he said. "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."
That dynamic will matter. Sinisalo has been building his own reputation, and now faces a battle with a keeper who has stood in goal for England and handled Old Trafford, Anfield and beyond.
The stage is set: a demanding crowd, a rebuilt goalkeeping unit, and a club that measures success only in silverware. Johnstone wanted pressure. At Celtic, he has just walked into one of the most unforgiving – and rewarding – jobs in British football.
