There are a lot of opinions and thoughts flying around about Mikey Johnston at Celtic, even from Brendan Rodgers.
After Celtic’s thumping win over Hibernian last week, the boss was pretty critical of the winger, who he has since handed back-to-back starts in the Scottish Premiership.
But John Hartson hasn’t been mincing his words because he thinks Mikey Johnston is only playing or starting to put him in the ‘shop window’, as he told Go Radio.
The issue with the 24-year-old is that, even before Brendan Rodgers returned to the club, fans have been waiting for the winger to explode.
That inability to be a reliable starter hasn’t been there and it’s fair to say that the chances he was handed recently weren’t taken.
And ahead of the January transfer window, John Hartson thinks he is a player who probably won’t be at Parkhead.
Mikey Johnston in the Celtic shop window
“I just think the likes of Mikey Johnston, one of the reasons he has had a little run in the team is because he wants to put him in the shop window,” said Hartson.
“I have said it’s easier to get players in than move players on, because you get comfortable at Celtic. You are earning a big contract. You are probably thinking ‘I will never earn this type of money again in my career’.
“When you play for Celtic. You are idolised around the city. But when you are in the team, you have to deliver, you have to be outstanding every week and you have to give the manager a headache.”
Time running out for Mikey Johnston
Celtic have been hit with a few injuries this season, so when the likes of Daizen Maeda return, then it’s going to be harder for Johnston to earn minutes.
Then there is the January window itself. You expect Johnston might still be here, but that doesn’t mean new faces won’t come in.
Rodgers has made it clear that he wants new faces through the doors, and that as soon as possible.
Either way, it seems as though time is running out for Johnston to prove himself at the club.
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