Mikey Johnston has been told that if he wants to make it at Celtic, there is a first-team player he could learn from to do just that.
The Republic of Ireland international is enjoying a loan spell away from Parkhead and is tearing up the English Championship since he went out on loan with West Bromwich Albion.
With 4 goals in eight appearances, Johnston is making a name for himself as he looks to become a first-team regular.
It’s quite incredible that Johnston has only scored 13 for Celtic in the eight years since he broke into the Hoops’ first team and despite having many chances to prove himself, he just can’t seem to cut it at the club. [Transfermarkt]
And whilst Johnston takes all the plaudits from the English media, he has been told that if he has ambitions to make it at Celtic, there is one player he could look at to use as a role model.
Anthony Ralston is the perfect Celtic role model for Johnston
Speaking on A Celtic State of Mind, host Paul John Dykes says that Anthony Ralston is the perfect player Johnston should look to for tips on how to have the mentality to play for Brendan Rodgers.
Dykes said, “It’s great to see. People say to me right the minute he cuts in there’s another defender right on him in Scotland. I get it.
“So there is that aspect of it. The fact that it’s a completely different setup and he’s playing teams that are more open, but there’s also the mental aspect of it.
“But I’m not subscribing to the fact that we are to blame as fans. I really don’t subscribe to that at all.
“When you find yourself at Celtic you need a certain mentality whereby you look at Tony Ralston. You look at the mental fortitude of that boy to be written off and ridiculed, he became something of a joke figure amongst a massive section of the fan base.
” I remember talking about I’m coming in for the Livingston game during COVID when we had 13 players out and I said he was the best player on the park.
“I had the audacity to mention that on the show and I started getting flack for just saying he had a good game.
“Now if he was to get picked at the weekend, no one would bat an eyelid. That’s the mental fortitude you need to be a Celtic player.
“I hope for all parties Mikey Johntson gets a permanent move. And I think it would be brilliant for him. I would love to see him flourishing and playing well for Ireland as well because it’s not going to happen at Celtic.”
It seems though that the Celtic fans have given enough chances to Mikey Johnston. The 24-year-old winger may well be best placed to leave the club as it simply hasn’t happened for him.
And there’s nothing wrong with that. The way he is going so far in England, it does look like Johnston can carve a decent career out fro himself away from Celtic and I, for one, hope that he does.
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