Stephen Kenny is critical of what he is hearing about Celtic winger Mikey Johnston

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There has been a lot of spotlight on Celtic winger Mikey Johnston this season as he aims to find his feet under Brendan Rodgers.

If you are honest, the reaction from Celtic fans about Mikey Johnston’s performances haven’t exactly been positive or uplifting for the player as he tries to prove his worth.

Former Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny was keen to defend the man he handed his international debut to.

Stephen Kenny, who recently left his international post, stated that ‘people need to appreciate Mikey Johnston’, as quoted by Football Scotland. 

A player who can lift the crowd off their seat when he is on the ball, it was added that Mikey Johnston is a ‘unique talent’ even though he has had a ‘level of criticism at Celtic’. 

When coming off the bench this season, for most parts, the 24-year-old has looked the part, especially his little cameo against Lazio in the Champions League.

The issue has stemmed from when he starts and his inability to do the right thing when without the ball.

Defence of Mikey Johnston

“People need to appreciate Mikey. He has come through the academy at Celtic to play for the first team, which isn’t easy,” said Kenny.

“For whatever reason, he’s had a level of criticism at Celtic but he’s a unique talent. The Irish public loves him and I think he’ll go on to become an outstanding winger. He’s capable of brilliant things.

“But like a lot of skilful players, he loves being loved. The harsh criticism is not easy to deal with for individual talents like that. They respond to the warmth of the crowd.

“I know how much Mikey loves it at Celtic. Growing up, that’s all he ever wanted to do. That was his dream. Even when he was playing in Portugal, that’s all he was thinking about.”

Mikey Johnston at a crossroads

For the rest of the season, the best wide man Celtic can probably pick from is Liel Abada, the ever-reliable Daizen Maeda and the quality summer signing, Luis Palma.

All three are well ahead of Johnston and you would expect the club’s soon-to-be new signing, Nicolas Kuhn, will push ahead of him also.

That leaves the Irish winger in a spot of bother because his game time will just reduce when it should be hitting peak numbers.