Celtic interim manager Neil Lennon has hinted that Mikey Johnston could have a part to play against Hearts next week.
Johnston was the star of the show against the Jambos yesterday. He fired home two terrific finishes to take his goal tally for the season to five. It will always go down for the youngster as a trophy day to remember, as he seriously announced himself in fine fashion.
Celtic’s Scottish Cup starters sat out the game yesterday at Parkhead. Only Scott Bain and Kristoffer Ajer started the match who you would expect to start once more this weekend. The likes of Mikael Lustig, Kieran Tierney, Scott Brown, and Odsonne Edouard are all being wrapped up in cotton wool.
But despite that, Lennon appeared to be open to the prospect of playing Johnston next week. Speaking to the BBC post-match (17:31), Lennon stated that Johnston has done himself no harm.
“He was on the cusp of it (a cup final appearance) anyway but he really showed what he can do. It’s nice for the fans to see a little glimpse of the future.”
Bad news for Scott Sinclair?
Johnston looked extremely comfortable down the right side yesterday. If that was James Forrest, nobody would’ve batted an eyelid. But then again, Forrest has been a favourite of Lennon’s since he got the job. There’s almost no way he doesn’t start the cup final.
But the same couldn’t be said of Scott Sinclair. Lennon didn’t deem him as a risk for Saturday, and allowed Sinclair to play 90 minutes. It remains to be seen if that’s Sinclair’s season over.
If Johnston is going to feature, however, only the Englishman seems droppable. The youngster Johnston is just as capable down the left as he is on the right. Another alternative, of course, is switching Forrest and Johnston’s flanks for the cup final. Forrest is rarely seen down the left, but he could likely do a job there too.
Lennon’s words feel as though they confirm that he’s made his mind up on Johnston. And if football is about playing your in-form players, then why not? Johnston could do with another big day to firmly put his poor outing at Ibrox in the rear-view mirror.
Even this early ahead of Saturday, it seems likely he’ll get it too.
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