Mikey Johnston has made Celtic supporters sit up and take notice this week

The Celtic Star

·24 March 2023

Mikey Johnston has made Celtic supporters sit up and take notice this week

Mikey Johnston has made Celtic supporters sit up and take notice this week but does he still have a future at Celtic? That’s the question Celtic supporters have been asking after the out on-loan Celtic winger made an impressive international debut for the Republic of Ireland this week…

22nd March 2023 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland: International Football Friendly, Republic of Ireland versus Latvia Mikey Johnston of Ireland thanking the fans after the full time whistle. Photo ActionPlus Peter Fitzpatrick

It was good to see Mikey Johnston have a great debut for the Republic or Ireland on Wednesday night. The young winger has had a tough time of it the past few years with injuries and found it tough to cement a regular starting place in the first team.

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His bright display for his adoptive country has led to a few voices on social media suggesting he still has a future at Celtic. To say it split opinions would be correct, although the bigger majority I would say don’t see him having a long term future at Celtic Park. Being truthful I would have to say I am one of the bigger majority.

I’m not having a pop at him. I’m sure he’s a great lad, and he’s a decent player, but I just don’t think he has what it takes to succeed in this Celtic side. He’ll be 24 soon so he’s not a youngster anymore. Time is running out for him to make the grade at Celtic. It’s only my opinion.

22nd March 2023 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland: International Football Friendly, Republic of Ireland versus Latvia Mikey Johnston of Ireland brings down a high ball. Photo ActionPlus Peter Fitzpatrick

But supporters don’t have the final say, that’s down to one man and that man is Ange Postecoglou. He will ultimately decide whether young mikey has a future at the club. He handed him a one year contract extension on his current deal which now runs to 2025, before he put him out on loan to Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes. He obviously sees something in him and has gave him a chance to prove himself in the Primeira Liga.

Will it be enough? Time will tell and while he has obvious talent, his ability to do it on a regular basis is a major doubt. He is capable of getting you off your seat one minute and tearing your hair out the next. His physicality and injury record is also a concern. To say he’s made of glass wouldn’t be wrong.

I like mikey and think he’s a decent player with a good future in the game, but sadly I don’t see that at Celtic. He’s had numerous chances at the club and has failed to take them whether it’s been through bad form or injury.

29th January 2020 McDairmid Park, Perth, Perth and Kinross, Scotland Scottish Premiership Football, St Johnstone versus Celtic Mikey Johnston of Celtic is treated at the side of the pitch after initially breaking down. Photo ActionPlus Vagelis Georgariou

I don’t think I’m being hard on the boy, truthfully can you see him dislodging Daizen Maeda, Sead Hakšabanović, Jota, Liel Abada or even James forrest from the side? Not a chance, he would be lucky to make our bench at the moment.

Sadly I can’t see that changing anytime soon no matter his form in Portugal at the moment. Currently He’s played 22 games in all competitions scoring three goals as well as providing three assists. That is a decent return in a decent Level of football, but he’s been used from the bench a lot this term and isn’t seen as a regular starter, so his chance of succeeding at Celtic looks grim.

I hope I’m wrong and the boy comes back and takes his chance, but I doubt it very much and I’ve got the feeling deep down Ange thinks the same.

JustAnOrdinaryBhoy – follow on Twitter @ordinarybhoy

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