Andy Walker sends Mikey Johnston a brutally honest message ahead of Celtic exit on deadline day

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The Celtic office will be a busy one at the moment because there is a rush of incomings and outgoing at the club.

Not many surprises, to be honest, but a number of late deals are expected to go through before the 11:30 pm deadline.

Following the arrival of Nicolas Kuhn from Rapid Vienna, he ended up pushing Mikey Johnston further down the Celtic pecking order and now there is talk about him making a deadline-day move.

Andy Walker made it clear that, if the Republic of Ireland star stays on under Brendan Rodgers, then he simply isn’t going to get the game time he wants.

Plus, if it is a move to English Championship promotion chasers, West Brom, then he thinks it’s a ‘great opportunity’ for the 24-year-old, as he told Go Radio.

The Baggies are sitting in the play-off places, and whilst automatic promotion is out of the picture, they are still one of the favourites to make the play-offs.

If Mikey Johnston signs for the Midlands side, then he can prove to be that difference maker for a team that is dreaming of a return to the Premier League.

Mikey Johnston to West Brom?

“I don’t think he is the type of player that, if he is going to stay, that he would play every week,” said Walker.

“Again, he seems to be making a mark at the international level. The best thing for him, in my view, is to go where he can play every week. 

“If it is to a club like West Brom, that’s a great opportunity. It’s a tremendous club. You are in an area where they live and breathe football. Great derbies all around you.”

Mikey Johnston has had his chances

There can’t be any complaints from the player. Whilst the likes of Scott Brown have bigged him up in the past, he just hasn’t performed.

When the likes of Liel Abada were in the treatment room or Daizen Maeda was also injured, Johnston was handed starts and minutes by Rodgers.

But it was pretty clear that he wasn’t worthy of keeping his place in the XI and he will now try to make a name for himself elsewhere.

The Championship is one of the most gruelling leagues in Europe, and if Johnston can cut it there, then it will seriously elevate his status and perhaps increases his chances at Parkhead next season.