Celtic failed in their quest to become Reserve League champions yesterday at Lennoxtown.
The young Hoops did the required damage to St Johnstone on the day with a 3-2 win. Unfortunately, however, Rangers’ 3-1 win at Falkirk ensured that it was them that took the title on goal difference.
It’s been an up-and-down season for the reserves this term. Winning the Glasgow Cup was certainly the highest point, as were the weeks in which they led the title-race in the closing stages.
Unfortunately, the 2-0 home defeat to Rangers several weeks ago has cost our youngsters. Glenn Middleton’s double that day effectively won it for the Ibrox kids, and it’s a steep learning curve for the young Hoops.
Many can hold their heads up high this season however. Karamoko Dembele impressed in his first few months in reserve team football. The likes of Jack Aitchison, Robbie Deas, and Armstrong Oko-Flex have all had eye-catching campaigns too.
But perhaps the pick of the bunch in recent weeks has been Mikey Johnston.
For the last couple of months, Johnston has been plying his trade at reserve team level. He’s made five appearances since dropping down, and has impressed in every one of them.
After yesterday’s contest, he’s now bagged three goals and two assists in his five matches with the reserves. It’s been a rich vein of form, with back-to-back free-kick stunners in his last two matches too.
Goals, assists, and chances
In that period, Johnston has also created plenty of openings, and has been by far the reserves’ liveliest player. Winning the Glasgow Cup will also go down as his biggest success, as he tore Rangers to shreds at Celtic Park last week.
It just backs up the claim that the left-winger is far too good for reserve team level. He’s proved that a step up is required, and whether that means a loan move is largely dependant on Celtic’s plans for next season.
There has been talk of Celtic pulling out of the Reserve League. Head of Youth Development Chris McCart did touch on Johnston’s current situation with regards to being too good for youth level but not ready for consistent first-team action.
Hopefully, we find a way to get Johnston consistent game-time at a level suitable for his development. He’s too precious a talent not to do so. Yesterday, he proved that yet again with another stunning free-kick.
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