Neil Lennon has provided a promising update on Mikey Johnston after confirming that the winger is now back in first-team training.
Johnston hasn’t played for Celtic since a 3-0 win at St Johnstone back in January. The Lennoxtown graduate has been out for nine months with knee ligament damage, and has had to watch on as Greg Taylor, Mohamed Elyounoussi, and Diego Laxalt have featured in his place.
Johnston hasn’t managed to play at all this season, and his absence has been felt. He managed 21 appearances last term before his knock, and was also able to bag 12 direct goal contributions within that period (Transfermarkt).
However, it looks as though he’s now finally back on the road to first-team action once again, as Lennon explained how the Hoops will take caution with him.
As quoted by the Daily Record, Lennon said: “We have no fresh injury concerns.
“Mikey Johnston is back in training but he has been a long time out so it is softly, softly with him.”
Johnston will play his part this season
It will be interesting to see how Mikey recovers from his injury and whether he can get back to the levels he was at last season. If so, then that’s extremely exciting news for Celtic.
Elyounoussi has failed to take his spot permanently ever since Johnston’s injury in Perth. So much so that a few impressive performances and it would be safe to say that he would be above Moi in the pecking order again.
However, it will also be intriguing to see how Lennon fits Johnston into a 3-5-2. Elyounoussi has recently been moved to a more central position due to his attributes not suiting the wing-back role. Both Laxalt and Taylor are recognised wing-backs, and that’s something Johnston may have to compete with.
Mikey has never been one to be known for his defensive prowess. But it’s highly unlikely that Lennon is going to change his shape to accommodate him, and neither he should.
It will still likely be another short period before we see Johnston in action again. It’ll undoubtedly take him several weeks to get his fitness levels up to the required standard, as Lennon has already hinted here.
But all eyes will be on how Mikey is utilised given the recent change in both system and personnel. One thing’s for sure – he has what it takes to make his mark this season.
In other news, 67HH writer John McGinley has urged Neil Lennon to bring back his old self or suffer the consequences.
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