Spartans FC are thrilled to announce the loan signing of Celtic FC goalkeeper Rachael Johnstone.

The 19-year-old shot stopper joins the Edinburgh side on loan having spent four years in Glasgow with Celtic. Johnstone signed her first professional contract with Fran Alonso’s side in 2021. In her time at Celtic, Rachael has won both the Sky Sports Cup (previously known as the SWPL Cup) and the Scottish Cup, also featuring in Celtic’s Champions League campaign.

Rachael is reunited with Scotland youth teammates, featuring regularly for the Scotland U17 and U19s set-up with fellow ‘keeper Alicia Yates. Rachael, no stranger to the International ranks, also earned a call-up to the senior Scotland squad during their Pinatar Cup campaign in 2022.

On joining the club Rachael stated how well she’s settled into life at Ainslie Park:
“I’m really excited to be joining the team, the girls have been great since I’ve come in and I know quite a few of them from Scotland camps which has helped a lot.”

Debbi McCulloch has no doubt Racheal will be an asset to the team, stating:
“With Rachel Harrison deciding to step away from football for a short period of time, it was critical for the club to move quickly to secure a second GK. Rachael is a fantastic loan signing for us and will provide excellent competition for Alicia Yates, who has started the season positively. Rachael is a great fit for our club, on and off the pitch, and we are grateful to Celtic for trusting us with her development over the coming months.”

Rachael goes straight into the match day squad for Sunday in the teams’ Sky Sports Cup campaign clash against Partick Thistle at Petershill Park.