Well, that was a whirlwind weekend for Mikey Johnston | OneFootball

Well, that was a whirlwind. Mikey Johnston, the former Celtic winger who found his mojo again on loan at West Brom, looked set to make Irish football history with a sensational £5m switch to Brazilian giants Flamengo, only for the deal to collapse in the most Flamengo way possible – a supporter backlash.

The Republic of Ireland international, once seen as the next big thing at Celtic Park before injuries and inconsistency took their toll, was on the verge of becoming the first Irishman to ever ply his trade in Brazil’s top flight. Instead, he’ll be heading back to West Brom’s training camp in Austria.

Mikey Johnston of West Bromwich Albion during the Sky Bet Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City at The Hawthorns on February 13, 2024 (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

According to Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph, Flamengo’s interest was spearheaded by José Boto – the club’s new sporting director and a familiar face to Johnston from his loan spell at Vitória de Guimarães.

That Portuguese connection made the move feel both plausible and exciting. Flamengo, one of South America’s biggest clubs with a fanbase as passionate as it is demanding, saw something in Johnston. But not everyone agreed.

‘West Brom winger Mikey Johnston’s move to Flamengo has stalled. Reports in Brazil state the club plan to withdraw from the £5m deal, after a backlash from supporters. He was due to fly to Rio tomorrow, but will now rejoin #WBA in Austria.’

https://x.com/AnthonyRJoseph/status/1942120993985605824

Reports from Brazil suggest a hostile reception from the club’s ‘torcedores’ after word of the deal broke. Unimpressed by the idea of signing a relatively unknown Irish winger, the backlash was strong enough for the club to back away.

It’s a bitter blow for Johnston, who had packed his bags and was reportedly set to board a flight to Rio. A move to Flamengo would’ve marked a footballing renaissance in one of the most unique environments in the sport – and a chance to write his name into the Irish football history books. But for now, it’s back to the grind at West Brom, where he impressed in his initial loan spell from Celtic and earned his international recognition before signing permanently last summer.

Republic of Ireland Squad Training, FAI National Training Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin 22/3/2024 Will Smallbone and Mikey Johnston Photography: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

There’s more than a tinge of déjà vu here for Celtic fans. Johnston has always been a player of immense natural talent – nimble, brave on the ball, and capable of lighting up a match. But his career has been marked by sliding doors. Missed chances, ill-timed injuries, and now, a collapsed transfer that might never come again.

You can’t help but feel a little sorry for the lad. A bold move that could have transformed his trajectory has vanished in a cloud of fan fury. But he shouldn’t take it personally, fan pressure regularly plays a part in transfer negotiations in Brazil, and Flamengo are well known for it.

Still only 26, Johnston’s story isn’t finished yet. But for a brief moment, we all dreamed of a Bhoy from Celtic tearing down the wing in Rio. What a story that would’ve been.

Niall J