Mikey Johnston

Looks like I'm in the minority but thought he was quite poor today. A few times first half he tried to take on a man and the ball got caught under his feet. Forgot he was on the second half until he came off.

 

He was quiet, seemed to only touch the ball 7 or 8 times and although he looked good and tidy never created anything serious.

 

Clearly a talent but nowhere near ready.

 

Didn't vary his play, always looked to come inside off the right hand side and looks very one-footed from the evidence today.

 

I thought he played well. Played it safe most of the time. Looks to have plenty of potential

 

Think getting over an hour in a tough game like yesterday will do him no harm in the long run.

Big step up from being a superstar in the youth team to going up against seasoned pro’s that have been playing top level football for 10+ years and know every trick in the book.

Doubt he will get many starts during the season but would be interesting to see how he develops coming on with 20 minutes or so left when games are opening up.

 

Thought he looked lively on the left in the first half, don't think he looked as comfortable on the right when Paddy went off, but overall a decent performance.
Seems to have a lot of potential, I'm sure BR can get the best out of him.

 

Honestly I hope he goes out on loan in January for 6 months might do him the world of good.

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/ScoutedFtbl/status/925416436876451840/video/1

 

Just scored for Scotland U19's.

1-1 against Armenia.

 

3-3 now. Johnston and Aitchison both scoring penalties. 2 goals for the day for Mikey.

 

mikey johnstone.cracking name for a celtic player

 

HIS best mate is a tiler who plays Sunday League football.

But Mikey Johnston is showing he won’t be floored by stepping up to the Celtic first team.

The winger signed at Parkhead when he was just seven and studies Hoops nemesis Neymar’s every move.

But he’s now the one who looks like a star in the making.

Johnston, 18, impressed on his second start for the first team in the 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock last month.

That followed on from doing well on his debut in the final game of last season against St Johnstone.

If he keeps up that sort of form he’ll be destined for the top.

But going to watch pal Josh in the * divisions will always remind Johnston how lucky he is.

He said: “I’ve been at Celtic for about 11 years now — so I’m due a testimonial!

“I’ve been dreaming about all this ever since I joined so it is bit mad.

“It was great to be given my debut at the end of last season.

“But then I was coming back from injury at the start of this season so it was a bit frustrating not being in right away.

“I just had to work hard and try to earn my chance to get back up again.

“I got the chance and I’m enjoying my football. I actually got told a few days before the Kilmarnock game that I’d be starting.

“I went to Bilbao to play an under-23s game so the gaffer told me at the start of the week.


“I was a bit shocked and all I could think to say was ‘oh, alright’.

“He did the same the last time and gave me a few days to digest it so I could realise I’d actually be playing.

“I was a wee bit nervous through the week and the night before the game I was lying in my bed thinking about it.

“But when it comes to game day the nerves just go and you stop thinking about it.

“It’s all still a bit surreal. I’m obviously not sharing a dressing room with the first-team boys.

“They’re all a lot older, they’ve all got kids and I’m going in still a kid myself playing with adults.

“It’s a bit weird.

“My family and mates think it’s a bit surreal too.

“I’ll be sitting with my pal sometimes and he’ll just go: ‘This is mad’.

“He’s a tiler. His name’s Josh and he’s my best pal.

“He still plays Sunday league stuff. Nothing big though.

“Sometimes I’ll go and watch him.

“He’s tiling every day and there I am going to play football.

“I’m being paid to have fun with a ball at my feet playing with my pals.

“It puts it in perspective and it’s amazing.”




Johnston comes across as someone who’ll stay grounded.

He’s made the journey from boyhood season-ticket holder in the stands to crowd pleaser on the pitch.

But he boasts an appetite for learning and adding to his game in a bid to get even better.

Johnston said: “Celtic fans probably won’t like it but I do like Neymar!

“I try to watch him most games.

“I got my own ticket for the PSG game when they played at Parkhead and went as a fan and I kept an eye on what he did.

“I always like to watch the big players like him, Eden Hazard and Philippe Coutinho

“I try to take bits of their game and add it into mine.



“I’m always trying to improve.

“I like to learn.

“Hopefully the next time I go up I get a couple of goals and an assist!

“When you’re a winger you need to be creating. I might look alright on the ball and stuff but I know I need to be contributing and causing problems.”

Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers hasn’t been frightened to give kids a chance.

After Johnston’s debut against Saints Rodgers led him and Anthony Ralston to take the applause in front of the Hoops support.

Johnston added: “I think the manager knows the ability I have.

“Now when I go up to the first team again I need to take my chance.

“What he did with Tony and I at the end of last season was really good.”

 

Potential

 

Future Star.