Mikey Johnston

He stagnated under Lennon due to Lenny's poor man management skills imo. Having the gaffer calling you a * bawbag when you go down injured is tough to handle for a young kid.

It's not too late for Mikey to turn it around but he is in need of regular first team football at this stage of his career. Send him out on loan next season or sell him with a buy back clause.

 

No chance..

Shame for Mikey but it's the end. Rated him more than any other academy player I've seen playing at that level before..

 

We do, but we don't know where we'll be in a years time, maybe we sell Jota? Maybe his replacment, if we don't get him, isn't up to stuff?

There's a lot of variables to consider, I don't think there's any harm in loaning Johnston out for a year.

 

I actually like him. He looked a really hot prospect under BR. Obviously Lennon was terrible for him (See Rogic). I'm a sucker for players who can beat a man and have natural flair though - something Johnston has in spades.

Yet his injury record coupled with his less than impressive sub appearances this season makes me think he isn't going to make it. He's missed so much first team football over the last 3 or 4 years that his decision making is akin to that of a 17 year old. I do think a lot of that is poor self confidence, but some players just never have it despite being excellent technically. I think of someone like Ross Barkley - a physical beast with awesome technical ability but an idiotic footballing brain and poor decision making.

Time is severely running out for MJ. I'd probably try and get rid of him in the summer because I think a different environment might be beneficial for him, a fresh start somewhere else. But Ange does seem to like him, if he isn't gone by next year surely the upcoming season is last chance saloon for him.

 

So we pay him for years for * all, give him a free transfer (or a loan next season) and chance to start somewhere else

 

You coming on here and spewing like a total zoomer is though.

 

I just thought it was a strange comment to say he would be 100% first choice if fit, even if you’re talking about next season. He’s flatters to deceive. I’ve always had big hopes for Mikey but he’s never going to cut it here.

 

I meant in the long term, not currently ffs He's nowhere near Jota atm, what I meant is if he was fully fit during Rodgers/Lennon's seasons he'd have developed further and I think he'd have been first choice. With the constant injuries he's never properly developed.

 

It's sad but until I saw this thread bumped I'd completely forgotten he existed. While it's not impossible he could still be an asset for us he is running out of time to show that he can turn it around. Still, after Ralston this season, and Taylor's performances of late, I'm not willing to completely write anyone off under Ange. I'll leave that up to him.

 

Neither him nor Moffat will ever be a regular here. The former can’t stay fit and does nothing when he is on the pitch, and the latter just doesn’t seem remotely good enough.

 

Mikey Johnston isn't making it here but still has a better chance than Moffat..

 

Was only around the first team in pre-season when most of the senior players were away, and against St Mirren (I think) when we had covid cases.

Just think he’d have been around the squad more if Ange really rated him. Particularly given Forrest and Jota’s injuries.

He’s done well for the Colts but they’re playing dross every week. Needs loaned out to a reasonable level but at his age, he’d be getting some minutes if he was highly rated.

 

After what Ange has done with Ralston and Taylor, I'm willing to give any youth player a chance tbh.

 

I know

He would've been around our first team....with plenty game time. Injuries done him, then led to a drastic lack of confidence and decision making..

When he broke through and for a good spell at the start of our 9 in a row season, he was looking electric.....again til injury..

Moffat will never be that player unfortunately..

 

There's no point now..

His body hasn't developed. He's made of glass. His confidence us understandably completely shattered..

Seen comment's about him going on loan. Don't even see how that benefits us..

Would go to say the sheep, break down and we have a better treatment room, physios etc than probably everyone else in the country..

 

I was actually referring to Moffat but aye, I think you're sadly right regarding Johnston. I hope he has enough to make it elsewhere.

 

I'm never keen to right players off, especially ones that have come through the youth system like Forest, CalMac and Ralston. MJs contract runs until 2025 and he's not going to be on a big wage.

His injury issues are the biggest problem and I think if he could stay fit for an extended period he'd calm down a bit, make better decisions and start producing some quality in the final third.

At 22, and with good physio and training, you'd hope he's still got the potential to get over his injury problems. No need to be chasing him out the door, especially when we've got Jota and Maeda ahead of him.