Celtic winger, Mikey Johnston has the belief that he can become a part of Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic team next season after a very good spell with Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal.
Johnston has been in excellent form for the Portuguese side. He has made 29 appearances scoring three goals and creating five as he helped Guimaraes to 6th place in the league.
And the 24-year-old has said he would love to play under Ange Postecoglou next season when he returns to Celtic.
Johnston said [Daily Record], “What happens next season isn’t really down to me. I’ve given it everything I’ve got over here and I’ve enjoyed it.
“But if I can go back to Celtic and play, that’s definitely something I want to do. I’m 24 and this is the most games I’ve played in a season. I want to build on that, not go back the way.
“I’d love to play for Celtic next season but we’ll have to wait and see. I’ve always thought I could play for the club on a regular basis. I’ve never felt I wasn’t good enough to be there.
“Once you do that, you’re defeated. Obviously, I’ve watched as many games as I possibly could over here. They’ve done brilliantly this season and I want to be involved in that. Any player would.
“I reckon they’ll have watched me this season in Portugal. I’ve had a few messages from people at the club.”
Can Mikey Johnston make the grade at Celtic next season?
That’s a difficult one to answer. There is no doubt that Johnston has quality about him. His form this season in Portugal earned him his first international caps for the Republic of Ireland and he did impress on the international stage.
The Giumaraes manager has already praised Johnston’s performances for his club by saying he is a ‘valuable winger’.
But the main problem Johnston has facing him when he returns to Paradise is the competition he has on the wings.
Can Johnston displace either Jota or Daizen Maeda on that left-wing? It’s very unlikely. Maeda and Jota have cemented their places in Postecoglou’s side after some impressive performances and important goals this season.
Also, Johnston would have to stay injury free. This season has worked out well for him but would he be able to cope with the demands of Ange Postecoglou’s relentless style of football?
I would love to see Mikey mate it at Celtic and maybe, at one time he could have. I just think that now, that time has passed and his future may lay elsewhere.
In other news, Ange Postecoglou superbly reminds BBC reporter why Celtic are champions after draw v St Mirren
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