Celtic winger Mikey Johnston has admitted that he’s been left amazed with the performances of Kyogo Furuhashi and Jota both in training and in competitive action this term.
Johnston has had to watch on as Jota has become a fan-favourite at left-wing. Mikey has also featured as a lone-striker in the past, and has been taken aback by the performances of Japanese striker Kyogo.
The winger has started to make his own impression on the Celtic fans in recent weeks however. He impressed against both Ferencvaros and St Johnstone respectively as he builds his fitness levels back up.
And, as he looked ahead to potentially breaking into the starting XI, Johnston admitted he can take plenty from the performances of the dynamic attacking duo.
As quoted by the Daily Record, Johnston said: “That’s definitely the case [arrival of Kyogo and Jota have inspired and motivated him]. They’re just great players.
“It’s been amazing watching, training and playing with them. You learn so much from people like that. The runs they make and how effective they are with goals and assists. I want to add that to my game.”
Mikey Johnston looking to learn from Kyogo and Jota as he makes Celtic return
It’s fair to say it’s been a while since Mikey has made a sustained impact on the Celtic first-team. Ever since his ACL tear back in January 2020, it’s been a long near two-year spell for him.
Johnston hasn’t actually started for the Hoops since January. Therefore, it’s been reassuring to see the speed and sharpness that remains in his game. He doesn’t look like a player that’s been out for large spells.
However, there’s always been an issue with Johnston’s end product. Even before his ACL tear, when he was having his breakthrough campaign in the first half of the 2019/20 season, it was still an area the player needed to improve upon.
Make no mistake, he can dart beyond any full-back in the league. You would fancy Johnston to dance his way past Scotland’s best right-backs with ease when given a one-v-one opportunity. The problem in the past has been after that, when he gets into a position to put a telling final ball in. Or when he runs in on goal with a one-v-one situation.
It’s something Mikey simply has to improve on if he wants to reach his full potential. And for Celtic supporters, it’s promising to hear that this is a key goal of his as he returns from injury. It’s certainly not been an issue for Jota and Kyogo.
Celtic’s depth pool is growing nicely, and Johnston’s return adds unreal depth down both flanks as the Hoops start to grow in confidence.
In other news, Dundee star hits out at opposition fans for abuse towards Celtic loan striker Leigh Griffiths
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