Opinion – Summer move best option for Mikey Johnston and Celtic

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The Celtic Star

·21 July 2024

Opinion – Summer move best option for Mikey Johnston and Celtic

OPINION – Mikey Johnston surely won’t be here another season? A summer move would be the best outcome for all parties…

Mikey Johnston had an impressive loan spell at West Brom last season and was expected to move on during the close season, but at the moment he is with the Celtic squad on our stateside tour and scored in last night’s 4-0 win over DC United despite blotting his copybook by missing a spot-kick.

Mikey is an extremely talented player, that’s not in question, but it still seems that his future lies away from Celtic. Mikey is no longer a promising youngster and at 25 he’s a seasoned pro but he appears to still suffers from a lack of consistency and the physical and mental demands of playing for Celtic.

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Brendan Rodgers knows this all too well, so what’s his reasons in taking him on the USA trip? Maybe to get him up to scratch and showcase his ability to any interested club, just like Norwich having Adam Idah away with them on their Belgium tour. Mikey will remain a Celtic player, under contract, until something changes. West Brom do not appear to have the financial resources available to buy the Republic of Ireland winger, but other Championships have also show interest, including Norwich City.

Republic Of Ireland Squad Training, FAI National Training Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin 25/3/2024 Adam Idah, Mikey Johnston and Jake O Brien Adam Idah, Mikey Johnston and Jake O Brien 25/3/2024. Photo INPHO/Ryan Byrne

A move for Mikey would be the best thing for the player too. No harm to the boy, but it’s obvious to everyone that he is unlikely to succeed at Celtic and his best bet is to move on elsewhere.

Brendan seems to have a soft spot for Mikey, when he should be exposing him to the same criticism he recently dished out to Bosun Lawel and Odin Thiago Holm. Maybe he has privately and I’m wrong, but if we start the new season with Mikey Johnston as part of the first team then questions will rightly be asked.

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We had Larry Henry Jr, Managing Editor – SBI Soccer at the game, reporting for The Celtic Star and you can enjoy his match report using the link below…