Sources: Celtic’s new signing is ‘not happy’ with his role just days after joining.

Sam Johnstone is reportedly determined to challenge Viljami Sinisalo for the starting goalkeeper position at Celtic and is not expected to be content with simply serving as the club’s reserve option, according to sources who have spoken to Football Insider.

The experienced 33-year-old goalkeeper completed a loan move to Celtic from Wolves earlier this week, with the Scottish champions bringing him in as part of their efforts to strengthen the squad during the final stages of the transfer window.

Celtic had been searching for a new goalkeeper for much of the summer following the departure of Kasper Schmeichel at the conclusion of last season. The club’s need for additional competition between the posts had been obvious, and they have now addressed that position with the arrival of Johnstone.

However, sources indicate that Johnstone has not moved to Glasgow simply to sit on the substitutes’ bench. Instead, the goalkeeper reportedly believes he is capable of competing with Sinisalo and wants to establish himself as Martin O’Neill’s first-choice goalkeeper.

As revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, Johnstone is believed to be unhappy with the prospect of being used purely as a backup and intends to push Sinisalo for the number-one jersey.

Sinisalo has occupied the starting role since the beginning of the current campaign and has impressed with his performances. The Finnish goalkeeper also finished last season strongly, giving O’Neill confidence in his ability to handle the responsibility.

That means Johnstone’s arrival immediately creates competition for the position.

While Sinisalo remains the established starter for now, Celtic’s decision to recruit an experienced goalkeeper means that he can no longer assume his place in the team is guaranteed. Johnstone brings considerable experience and will be eager to demonstrate that he deserves an opportunity.

His arrival also provides Celtic with considerably more depth in a position that had previously been regarded as one of the weaker areas of the squad.

Why did Celtic sign Sam Johnstone?

There were several reasons why Celtic pursued Johnstone despite his recent difficulties at Wolves.

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown previously told Football Insider that Johnstone had attracted interest from a number of clubs and had even been considered as a possible option for a return to Old Trafford.

Celtic ultimately emerged as the strongest contenders and successfully completed the deal to bring the goalkeeper to Parkhead on loan.

Sources close to the club have indicated that Celtic are satisfied with the agreement and believe Johnstone can provide valuable competition and experience within O’Neill’s squad.

Although the goalkeeper has fallen down the pecking order at Wolves, his reputation within the game remains strong. Johnstone was still part of the England setup as recently as 2024, underlining the level he has previously reached during his career.

The move to Celtic therefore represents an opportunity for the goalkeeper to revive his fortunes after a difficult period and prove that he still has the ability to perform at a high level.

Johnstone is also understood to believe strongly in his own ability.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, the report explained that Johnstone has arrived in Glasgow with the intention of challenging Sinisalo rather than accepting the role of understudy.

“Sam Johnstone’s arriving hoping that he can get that number one spot off Sinisalo, he’s not happy playing backup,” was the assessment.

Sinisalo currently has the advantage because he began this season as Celtic’s first-choice goalkeeper and also ended the previous campaign in that position.

The challenge for Johnstone, therefore, will be to convince O’Neill that he deserves to displace him.

“Obviously, Sinisalo’s got it right now. He started the season and obviously ended the season last year with Celtic as the number-one goalkeeper,” the report added.

Johnstone will consequently have to compete strongly if he wants to take possession of the shirt.

“So Johnstone will have to wrestle that shirt off Sinisalo, but I’m sure he will be hopeful that he can do that after joining from Wolves,” the Football Insider report stated.

There is also an important point to remember regarding Johnstone’s pedigree. It was not long ago that he was regarded as an England goalkeeper, and his experience at international level could prove valuable to Celtic.

“You’ve got to remember it’s not that long ago that Sam Johnson was an England goalkeeper as well. He’s still a quality goalkeeper and I’m sure Johnston will back himself to come in and really fight for that spot.”

Can Johnstone become Celtic’s first-choice goalkeeper?

Johnstone’s determination to compete for the starting position has been fuelled by his desire to put a difficult period at Wolves behind him.

His time with the Premier League club did not go according to plan, and the goalkeeper eventually found himself out of favour. Wolves also endured a difficult campaign that ultimately ended with relegation from the Premier League.

That situation has inevitably led to questions over whether Johnstone can still operate consistently at the highest level.

Football Insider previously reported on August 28 that some of Johnstone’s statistics were a cause for concern. His injury history has also become another factor that Celtic will need to consider as they assess his potential contribution.

The goalkeeper has missed a significant number of games in recent seasons because of fitness problems.

Since the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign, Johnstone has been unavailable for a combined total of 29 matches while playing for Crystal Palace and Wolves because of injuries.

That record represents a concern for any club relying on a goalkeeper to provide consistent availability throughout a demanding season.

Johnstone’s most recent injury setback came at the end of the 2025-26 campaign when he required surgery on his shoulder. The operation ruled him out of Wolves’ final fixtures of the season.

His move to Celtic now gives him the opportunity to put those problems behind him and rebuild his career.

For Celtic, the immediate priority will be ensuring that Johnstone returns to full fitness and can compete consistently for selection.

The arrival of an experienced goalkeeper should nevertheless provide O’Neill with more options. Sinisalo has performed well and currently has the advantage, but Johnstone’s determination to challenge him could make the battle for the position one of the more interesting selection contests at Celtic.

The veteran goalkeeper clearly does not intend to arrive in Glasgow simply to watch from the sidelines.

Instead, he has joined Celtic believing that he can force his way into the starting XI and reclaim the status he once enjoyed.

Whether Johnstone can actually displace Sinisalo remains to be seen, but his arrival ensures that the Celtic manager now has genuine competition for the number-one position.

For Johnstone, the objective is clear: regain his best form, remain fit and convince O’Neill that his experience and quality deserve to be rewarded with regular football.

For Celtic, meanwhile, the hope will be that the competition brings out the best in both goalkeepers and gives the club greater security in a position that needed strengthening following Schmeichel’s departure.