I'm guessing that this article is saying we're after Johnston regardless as opposed to signing Johnston only if Hamer goes?
Johnston is if course in the same position as Hamer at present.
You can never tell with Nixon as my 4 year old constructs better sentences.
Would be an underwhelming replacement and has been rumoured for a little while so one would hope we see him as an addition to the squad rather than a Gus replacement.