Mikey Johnston

Enough of the niceness the boy is made of polystyrene. This pish has went on long enough.

 

I thought Lennon was complaining about him trying to play on when he should have come off. Didn't agree with that either given the circumstances.

Rodgers is doing the opposite.

My original point is this is shocking man/squad management.

Really disappointing. See Twillio and possibly Holm injured, do they need to be more robust too?

 

He can achieve that by not renewing his contract and letting him know in private he should get his agent on the case.

Happened thousands of times before in the professional game.

Only made himself look unprofessional and petty in all honesty. Hate to say it but can't imagine Ange coming out with anything close to this and he was under a shitload more pressure when he started with us. Even if Rodgers wins games not sure I'll be a fan of his if he continues like this. Expect more of a Celtic manager.

 

Considering Mikey was pretty much fit the whole time on loan, do you think there might be a reason for Rodgers' words there?

I honestly have no idea but it seems a strange thing for a manager to say if a player is out for months with an injury.

Seems there might be more to it. Maybe I'm reading too much into it but I don't think managers come away with statements like that for nothing.

All very strange.

Good luck to the lad whatever happens.

 

I think we are seeing the same circumstances but crediting, or not, Rodgers, in an opposite way. Plenty of players are out for months so it's not exactly unique.

Regardless, don't think I've seen a professional manager shame/blame a player like this before. Possibly reading too much into it, and probably because I'm revisiting it in these replies but deeply unimpressed/* off with Rodgers.

But highly likely a mole hill, not a mountain.

 

Mate it's not beyond the realms of possibility for an employee to say "not really up to it today boss".

I just don't see the merit in Rodgers calling him out like that.

Mikey's injuries are well documented. How much might actually be neurological by this point?

 

I'd expect a professional footballer to call out when they aren't fit. Doesn't do them any good to do anything else. Ralston didn't do it end of last season and got dogs abuse for his performances, no one cares on the day if a players playing injured. Although maybe that's what Rodgers wants when he's asking players to be "robust".

I think we are agreeing on Rodgers position.

Given Johnston played a season in Portugal I'd strongly assume the cause is similar to CCV, AJ, Taylor and to an extent Hatate. He tried to see the season out and pushed himself too far. Similar to CCV and others.

That's what's really getting me, it's obviously a two faced position. Wouldn't say it about other players in our squad although it's the same circumstances.

 

Punt him, if any one of us were unavailable for work for the length of time this guy has been then we would have been released. Contracts do not allow this but the club and his agent should be actively looking to move him on. Enough is enough.

 

He's never making it here.

Let's not drag it out longer than it needs to.

 

So you make it very clear to the kid, that this is his last opportunity.

If he comes back in September and stays fit and available for the rest of the season… give him a new short term contract with clauses regarding number of games played. Options to terminate with long term injury etc.

If he’s crocked for most of the season, then let his contract run out and wish him the best for the rest of his career.

I really don’t see why people are getting so angry about the situation. Just use him for squad depth if he’s fit, but definitely don’t be in a position where we’re relying on him. I don’t see who’s gonna buy him anyway with his injury record… plenty of clubs will take a punt on him if he’s a free agent. No harm in letting him see out his contract with us and see what happens. He could end up retiring and becoming a decent coach or something.

 

Reading between the lines of those Rodgers comments I'd say there's a slight frustration there with the player which would point to him not following the advice of the coaches/physio/nutrition team or something similar. Could've been asked to follow a specific regime due to his situation and he hasn't been doing it. Maybe asked to bulk up, improve core strength and he's not bothered or something.

 

A new short term contract, he has 3 years left on his current one doesn't he?

I actually don't think he called Mikey out, he was asked about him and said him and everyone else had to show they have what it takes and used the word "robustness" as one thing you need to play for Celtic. People on here making a mountain out of a molehill.
I do think that's his chance out the window now though unless new signings come in and flop or get injured themselves. He already has to battle past Maeda, Abada and Hacksa. New signings will come and smack him further down the run.

 

Jesus wept.

 

He has shown nothing to warrant a place in the squad we should be looking to get rid of the deadwood not give them new deals

 

Was all for Brendan getting a look at him in pre season after his spell in Portugal but after this injury think it’s best for both parties if he finds a new club !! Been far too injury prone for us

 

Here! Plenty of NHS and council workers have made a career out of that!!!!

 

I actually like Brendan’s honesty

 

was reading about what he said to packie bonner about glad he was rodgers was back because rodgers liked him ,needless to say if johnston thinks the only reason he was sent out on loan was ange didnt like him hes deluded .not good enough and a sicknote ,giving him another year was pointless

 

Rodgers said nothing wrong, I actually appreciate the honesty.

Johnston is clearly done here, there's no point lying about it.

 

You are right we gave him a contract extension before he went out on loan last season so he has 3 seasons left on his current contract including the upcoming one.