Mikey Johnston is a player who has been the subject of scrutiny from Celtic fans and the Hoops boss.
However, his international boss Stephen Kenny has jumped to the winger’s defence.
Johnston, 24, has had a challenging journey since his first-team debut in 2017. Despite his undeniable talent, his path has been marred by fitness and injury woes, limiting his ability to consistently contribute as a first-team player.
This struggle has been evident through his time under managers Brendan Rodgers, Ange Postecoglou and Neil Lennon. However, under Lennon, he did seem to start to make an impact, but he just couldn’t kick on and tie a starting spot down.
Last season, Johnston was loaned out to Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal. His performances led to him getting some minutes on the international stage, changing his allegiances from Scotland to Ireland. It was under Kenny that Johnston earned his first international cap in March, a testament to the faith Kenny has in his abilities.
The Irish boss defended Johnston, saying, [Football Scotland] “People need to appreciate Mikey. He has come through the academy at Celtic to play for the first team, which isn’t easy.
“For whatever reason, he’s had a level of criticism at Celtic but he’s a unique talent. The Irish public love him and I think he’ll go on to become an outstanding winger. He’s capable of brilliant things.
“But like a lot of skilful players, he loves being loved. The harsh criticism is not easy to deal with for individual talents like that. They respond to the warmth of the crowd.”
It’s such a pity that Mikey’s move to Portugal did not work out. For the sake of his career, a move away from Parkhead would be best for all parties.
Hail Hail.
As a club we still remain in the process of squad building with CL football in mind imo.
Not completed by any means, but not a million miles away either imo.
When you look at how a squad can be potentially built with CL in mind, then we are looking at 2 players for each position, along with a fair bit of flexibility within it, then with the signing of kuhn, even with the uncertainty of the future of Abada?
Then that potentially leaves us with a choice between yang and Johnston for the last CL position, along with cover in the wider areas in case of injury to the potential other 4 currently ahead of them?
Personally believe yang is the better option, but Johnston fills the requirement with being Scottish?
Forrest is potentially out of the reckoning now, with his best days long behind now at this stage of his career?
So wouldn’t totally write off Johnston just yet?
However his end product needs to start improving rapidly and his defensive work as a wide player has to improve dramatically as it still remains brutal, especially when required in the bigger games.
Is there even a better option that Johnston available who fills that Scottish homegrown requirement and keep the balance within the squad correct for ourselves at CL level, not so sure myself and no one currently springs to mind either in the wider areas?
The theory still remains the same, as if we have a squad strong enough to compete at CL level, then that will be way to strong for anyone to compete against at SPFL level imo?
And simply no other Scottish team comes close to being in such a position, especially the Hun scum?
Mikey has been unfortunate, Lennon ruined the lads confidence, he now doubts that he has the ability in big games.
Mikey could move to another Premiership team on loan, probably where he should have been instead of Portugal.
I do fear his time is up but above to Aberdeen could aid his final development.