James McFadden weighs in on Brendan Rodgers’ comments on Celtic winger Mikey Johnston

Add as preferred source on Google

James McFadden has weighed in on the situation involving Celtic winger, Mikey Johnston.

Brendan Rodgers took an interesting step in deciding to publicly critique the player after Celtic’s 4-1 win over Hibernian last week.

Someone like Chris Sutton was ’surprised’ by the Celtic manager’s methods, whilst others think it’s simply a challenge.

As James McFadden pointed out, the fact that Mikey Johnston started the 2-1 defeat against Kilmarnock on Sunday proves that Brendan Rodgers is simply trying to push the player, as he told Sky Sports Football (10/12/23 at 11:40 am). 

The former Scotland international added that Mikey Johnston is being asked to do more with and without the ball because it’s far different than when he is being asked when he comes off the bench.

The 24-year-old has started only two games this season and probably hasn’t produced the results he would have liked from a personal perspective.

There have been times this season when he has come off the bench, including in the Champions League and he has looked impressive.

But as James McFadden pointed out, they are two different worlds.

Brendan Rodgers’ challenge to Mikey Johnston

“I’d rather not have any criticism, if I am being perfectly honest,” said McFadden.

“What Brendan Rodgers is doing Is telling Mikey Johnston that coming on as a sub is different to starting the game.

“When you come on, the game is open and you have the freedom to do what it takes to get your team back in the game or have an impact in the game. When you start the game, it is more about concentrating on your positional play. When you are going to press. What the demands are.

“I think had Rodgers had a go at him, then dropped him it would have been a bigger issue here. What he is saying, you are in the team now and you have to do more. You have to use the ball better. Make better decisions.”

Celtic v Feyenoord

The issue for Johnston now is that he will probably be dropped for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Feyenoord.

And that will probably then lead to him being in the same situation against Hearts at the weekend.

On one hand, his performances haven’t been good enough, but he could rightfully argue that he needs more minutes to really get his engine going because he is still probably lacking that sharpness.

Johnston’s issue is that he has had plenty of chances before and in the pressure cooker of Celtic, you ain’t given much time.