Mikey Johnston

Worth a go. Johnston and Forrest aren’t the answer

 

Both have played their part in recent weeks. Am more than fine with Forrest stepping in when we need it, goals wise he’s joint second for return on the wing along with Maeda this year.

And he’s shown he’ll still work his way into those positions where he’s dangerous especially against a packed defence, I wouldn’t want him to be first choice but as a squad option he knows what’s required, he’ll play his role and he brings a calmness that comes with his experience on that side of the pitch.

Just not the explosiveness he once had, but at a stingy game on a * pitch tomorrow I’d be fine with Forrest starting.

But if it was me, I would try Kyogo more off the right and Oh through the middle. We done it briefly earlier this season and it worked brilliantly, AJ has the engine to allow Kyogo to go inside and become another forward rather than an outright winger, and Palma having the option of hitting both Oh and Kyogo making runs, along with O’Riley making that late run he’s done so well this season. Sounds a great option for me at the moment with who’s available.

 

Mikey Johnston admits the jury is still out on his mission to convince Celtic fans he can nail down a first-team spot with the Hoops.

But the Republic of Ireland international is adamant he’s more than worthy of a fair trial after returning to the club from a loan spell in Portugal as an improved all-round footballer. Brendan Rodgers handed the winger his first start in 22 months against Hibs in midweek. And he challenged the 24-year-old to grab the opportunity with both hands as he’s no longer “a baby” emerging from the club’s academy.

Johnston insists the penny has dropped as he looks to earn a sustained run in the side and go from being the forgotten man to a huge part of the future. He said: “People do like something new, such as new signings, but I am still just trying to prove to people that I can play here. I have been at the club for a while and people are probably saying that I’ve been here for this long and maybe not proven myself – but I have in spells.

“It’s very hard to win people over. The pressure is on me and I’m trying to unlock my potential the best I can. I went on loan to a league in Portugal when I wanted to be at Celtic. I’m trying to take every step I can to fulfil my potential.

“People act as though I haven’t actually played games for Celtic but I have played nearly 100 and played in six cup finals. Obviously I need to be playing every single week and that’s what I want to do. The manager is telling me to take the bull by the horns and hopefully I can do that.”

Appearances off the bench against Motherwell, St Johnstone and Lazio provided enough evidence for Rodgers that Johnston merited a start on Wednesday night against Hibs. But the wideman admitted it was difficult for him to hit the ground running.

He said: “I hadn’t started a game this season although I’d played a couple of games for the Republic of Ireland. So it did feel like a sort of pre-season in that I needed to get up to speed.

“It was just good to get back out on the pitch again though. Starting the game is also a bit different too rather than coming on as a sub.

“Games are coming thick and fast just now so it was tough for me physically – I just need to build that up and keep at it. It’s just the way the game goes when you are a winger.

“Sometimes you don’t get a lot of the ball – the other night I wasn’t getting a lot of the ball. But I pressed well, defensively I was good for the team and getting the result was the most important thing.

“Last season I was with Vitoria Guimaraes who played a different way and I feel I learned a lot from that tactically. I haven’t played a lot so it’s just about adjusting and doing exactly what the manager wants. I’m taking everything that the manager is asking for on board.”

The acid test for Johnston will come down to whether he is given a run of games in the coming weeks and if the consistency that has eluded him during his career so far can be sustained. But he’s confident he can meet the high expectations that come with his undoubted talent.

Ahead of today’s trip to Rugby Park, he said: “I don’t think there is ever a comfort blanket at a club like Celtic. There is pressure every minute. When I went away on loan there was less pressure but I learned a lot.

“It was always in the back of my head that I wanted to come back to Celtic Park. You grow up quickly in a new country on your own. Living away from home, when it’s a different language, is tough.

“It’s a different sort of football and I also learned from playing last season as it was a bit similar to that in terms of tactically. That has stood me in good stead going into this season.”

Johnston is also intent on pushing himself to the front of his manager’s mind for one of the attacking roles as he’s become conditioned to a survival of the fittest attitude at Celtic in a squad full of options. He said: “There has always been competition for places.

“When I first came through there was Scott Sinclair, James Forrest and Pat Roberts. There’s always the threat of someone new coming in the door at every transfer window. That is understandable as the club are trying to win titles and do well in Europe – so there is always competition and you need to step up.”

 

Boy knows exactly where he's at and is under no illusions that he HAS to turn it on very soon if he's to be a Celtic player going forward.

People in all walks of life can find themselves struggling to beat that mental block that holds them back from fulfilling their potential. I think of myself years ago when I was trying to get to professional level at snooker. Could, and still can, produce some outrageous shots that Ronnie O'Sullivan would be proud of, but could never get to that next level consistently. Tried for so long to make a century break and just could ever get there, which became harder the longer it went on. Eventually called time on it and accepted it wasn't happening (I've since started playing again and determined to finally make a ton before I die ).

But this seems similar to Mikey's position now. If he can produce in a game the type of performance he's capable of, even just once, ot will feel like a proper breakthrough and will help him kick on. But time is running out. It has to come this month I feel, as we'll have Abada and Maeda back soon, and no doubt look to bring in better in January.

 

Cmon mikey show us what you doo

 

He couldn't cross the road so naturally we've put him on corners

 

Should've had at least one assist, maybe two if Oh didn’t miss two sitters today.

 

Played good today. Palma vanished second half when MJ was taken off.

 

Started the attack for the goal and should’ve had an assist for Oh’s miss. Good first half but didn’t do nearly enough second half (nobody in the Celtic team did). Played well overall

 

Should never have been took off, Palma done nothing all day and should've been subbed long before even thinking of taking MJ off.

 

If Oh puts that sitter away then we’d probably be talking about his assist and him possibly turning a corner. But in reality it was another day of no end product.

 

Was our best player in the first half by some distance I thought.

Did really well running at them, although overplayed it once or twice. Went quiet in the second half but still surprised got taken off for Yang.

 

No heart and no fight, has one good dribble and cross per game, he’s not going to get any better.

 

I don't hate him as much as others but it's clear he's never going to kick on here. He badly needs a goal or something.

Tbf he isn't a RW, he's only playing there because our only other option is Yang. But watching him you feel like he doesn't really believe in his own ability at times. He never stamps his authority on the game when he starts.

 

Can we just let that be that now and realise eventually he's nowhere near it

 

Poor tonight

 

Please let's just move on from him.

Not a terrible player but not good enough for us.

 

Still not finding the spark. All in the head wee man.

 

Just no. It's gone.