The future of Celtic winger, Mikey Johnston, always seems to crop up at every transfer window over the last few years.
The Republic of Ireland international made his first-team debut at the club in a 4-1 win over St Johnstone at Celtic Park back in 2017.
Ever since then, Johnston has flitted in and out of the team due to either injury issues or not showing enough consistency.
The 25-year-old had an ‘incredible’ loan spell at West Brom last season as he impressed with seven goals and two assists in 20 games but now back at Celtic, Jim Duffy has some advice for the winger and where he sees his Parkhead future.
Duffy tells Johnston it’s ‘time he moved on’ from Celtic
The former Greenock Morton, Hibs and Dundee boss was asked if Johnston’s loan spell may have put him in Celtic boss, Brendan Rodgers’ plans for next season but Duffy’s verdict was unanimous.
Duffy said [Superscoreboard], “I don’t think it will. Mikey Johnston has had a number of games and he’s never managed to really sustain and hold down a regular first-team place.
“He went to West Brom, certainly in the first few months he scored some incredible goals when he first went down and did very well.
“I think it’s time for Mikey Johnston to move on, rather than be back and forward and going on loan. He’s been on loan a few times now. I think he’s got to look at moving forward with his career, and I think it’s time he moved on from Celtic.
“Not because I don’t think he’s a good player, he is a good player, but Celtic have got a host of wingers and they’re likely to sing more forward players.
“And I think Mikey Johnston’s had two opportunities because he’s been there for both of Brendan Rodgers’ times at the club, and if he’s not established himself by now, I think it will be too difficult for him to do that in the future.”
Since his 2017 debut, Johnston has still to break through that magic 100 appearances barrier at Celtic. In seven years at the club, the winger has notched up 92 appearances, scored 13 goals and created 12.
Johnston also had a good loan spell at Vitoria Guimaraes in 2022 where he helped the Portuguese club qualify for Europe.
What is clear is that Johnston has the talent to become an effective first-team player. His spells at West Brom and the Portuguese club are a testament to that.
But maybe he’s just not destined to be a regular first-team player at Celtic as past experiences have shown.
Like Duffy, I also believe it’s time Johnston looked to kickstart his career elsewhere because it looks like it may have run its course at Celtic.
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