Mikey Johnston has insisted people don’t understand the efforts he’s gone to after suffering from multiple injuries at Celtic.
The winger has been criticised by plenty of people over the years, including club supporters, for seemingly never being fit enough to go through a gauntlet of regular matches.
He’s only made a handful of starts over the last year alone. However, he finally looks ready to make a renewed burst into the Celtic team after two impressive substitute appearances against Ferencvaros and St Johnstone.
Addressing some of the things said about him over the last couple of years, Johnston told The Daily Record: “A lot of people don’t know what goes on in the background. They’ll think I’m lazy and not a professional. But I try to do everything to try and get myself right to play for the club.
“All my family have been supportive. At first when I was getting injured they were kind of on me a bit. But then they started to realise it’s not really my fault and I’m doing everything I can to be fit.
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“They’re really supportive. It was tough for them at the start as well because they want to see me out playing. Thankfully, it’s starting to pay off for me now and, hopefully, people will see that.
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“Obviously, Brendan Rodgers gave me my debut a few years ago and it’s been stop-start ever since. But, hopefully, I can get a run of games now and keep myself fit. If I can manage that then it’s going to be so much better for me.”
Johnston would also go on to say it’s not easy when some supporters don’t like him, especially as a Celtic fan himself. However, he’s vowed to block out the noise and focus on what the manager thinks of him, because Ange Postecoglou is the person who picks the team.
Ultimately the only way the winger will be able to prove himself to the doubters is with actions on the pitch and consistency with availability. That’s what people want to see.
With a new sports science team in place and the backing of Postecoglou, the stage is set for him to make up for lost time.
In other news, Mikey Johnston reveals Joe Hart helped him make Celtic return from injury.