Mikey Johnston made another first team impression in Celtic’s friendly at home to Standard Liege on Saturday but has admitted he could be heading out on loan if he is not in Brendan Rodgers’ immediate plans.
Now 19 years of age, regular week-to-week action is absolutely crucial for the player’s personal development and as we know, competition for places in the Hoops starting eleven is fierce, especially after the arrival of Lewis Morgan.
Johnston netted a clever chip in the 4-1 over the Belgians on Saturday and looked a live-wire throughout the second 45 minutes, thrilling supporters with his ambitious and exciting attacking play.
Now he’s admitted that regular football is a priority for him in the coming season, but he will seek the advice of Rodgers before deciding to seek a temporary move away.
As quoted by The Evening Times, the teenager said:
I’m a Celtic fan so I want to be here as long as possible and break into the first team.
If this isn’t my year then I’ll need to go somewhere else to play. I’ll see what the gaffer thinks.
But I train every day with guys who came through the ranks – players like Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor and James Forrest – and they’re always giving me advice. They’ve been in exactly the same position as I’m in now so you need to learn from them.
That trio of players have had mixed introductions into first team action at the club, with Tierney introduced from the start of matches regularly at a very young age, Forrest more gently introduced into action and McGregor spending a productive year out on loan elsewhere.
Johnston appears to have the attributes to one day be a Celtic mainstay, but a season out on loan could do wonders for his confidence and readiness to challenge others for a place in Rodgers’ side.
Perhaps he could even be a loan makeweight to help the Hoops get the deal done for John McGinn at Hibs?
How would you handle Mikey Johnston’s development? Would you send him out on loan or give him more first team chances? Have your say in the comments below…