Rachael Johnstone Explained

Rachel Johnstone
Fullname:Rachel Isabella Johnstone
Birth Date:2004 3, df=yes
Birth Place:Glasgow, Scotland
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:Heart of Midlothian
Years1:2021–2023
Clubs1:Celtic
Caps1:2
Goals1:0
Years2:2023
Clubs2:Spartans
Caps2:3
Goals2:0
Years3:2024–
Clubs3:Heart of Midlothian
Caps3:1
Goals3:0
Nationalyears1:2019
Nationalteam1:Scotland U17
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2021–2022
Nationalteam2:Scotland U19
Nationalcaps2:5
Nationalgoals2:0

Rachael Johnstone (born 2 March 2004) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Heart of Midlothian.

She has previously played for Celtic and Spartans, and has represented Scotland at under-17 and under-19 level.

Early life

Johnstone was born in Glasgow in 2004 and was brought up on the Isle of Lewis where her interest in football began.[1] She began playing for Stornoway Athletic’s under 15 boys team – an outfield player who got placed in goal temporarily, impressing when she did.

By the age of fourteen she was chosen for the Scotland national team, making her debut in a match against Poland.

Club career

Celtic

At the age of 16, Johnstone was in the first team at Celtic while also playing in the Scotland under-17 team.[2] Her family and particularly her mother Rhona were very supportive of her ambitions – the long distance between her home in Lewis and Glasgow made attending matches and training difficult. In November 2020, she moved to Glasgow, living in a flat in Paisley that she shared with five other teammates.[3]

In September 2021, Johnstone signed her first professional contract with Celtic.[4] She played in the 2021–22 Scottish Women's Cup final against Glasgow City, winning the match 3-2.[5]

Hearts

On 18 January 2024, Johnstone signed an 18-month contract with fellow SWPL team Heart of Midlothian, with the option of a further year extension.[6]

International career

Johnstone was not originally in the 26-player Scottish squad to play in the 2022 Pinatar Cup,[7] but injuries to Erin Cuthbert and Chloe Logan resulted in Leah Eddie and Johnstone being called up to the squad.[8]

Personal life

In 2022, Johnstone was playing football with an ambition to study business.

She wore the number 52 while at Celtic, which is the same as her family's house number in Balallan in Lewis.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FC . Celtic . Rachael Johnstone . 2023-05-26 . Celtic FC . en.
  2. Web site: 10 December 2020 . Lewis goalkeeper Rachael Johnstone is star for Celtic and Scotland . 2023-05-26 . Stornoway Gazette . en.
  3. Web site: MacLennan . Chris . 1 January 2022 . Meet the Western Isles teen living out her dream as Celtic’s number one (or 52) . 2023-05-26 . Press and Journal . en-GB.
  4. Web site: 2021-12-05 . Celtic goalkeeper Johnstone's career takes off after clocking up the air miles . 2024-04-10 . The Herald . en.
  5. News: Depleted Celtic win Women's Scottish Cup . 2024-04-09 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  6. Web site: Rachael joins Jambos – Hearts . 2024-07-06 . www.heartsfc.co.uk . en.
  7. Web site: 8 February 2022 . Chloe Logan earns first Scotland call-up . Scottish Football Association.
  8. News: McPartlin . Patrick . 14 February 2022 . Hibs Women defender Leah Eddie called into Scotland squad as Erin Cuthbert and Chloe Logan drop out . .