St Mirren are in hot pursuit of attacker Michael Johnston and have opened talks with Celtic about a summer loan deal, according to BBC Sportsound pundit Tam McManus.
The former Hibernian player claimed on his personal Twitter account on Monday morning that negotiations are taking place between the two Scottish top-flight clubs, with newly-promoted St Mirren eager to take the left-winger from Celtic Park on a temporary basis.
https://twitter.com/The_Tman10/status/1018797785506861056
Johnston, 19, has only ever made four senior appearances since emerging through the ranks of the Hoops’ academy and could be seen as a replacement for Lewis Morgan at St Mirren after the winger moved to Parkhead this summer.
Good move for Celtic?
Johnston needs more match experience so sending him out on loan to St Mirren makes perfect sense for Celtic.
The Scotland Under-21 international is a potential first teamer for the future at Parkhead, but he will only develop to that level if he is able to get a real taste of Scottish Premiership football in Paisely.
Brendan Rodgers has shown that he is willing to start giving the attack-minded winger more game-time in his senior squad, as he appeared three times for the club last season, starting and completing 90 minutes against Kilmarnock in the league.
He is certainly one for the future at St Mirren is a good place for him to further himself on loan.
This is Futbol rating 10/10
Likely to happen?
Johnston has already confirmed his desire to leave Celtic on loan this summer, so it does appear that he will be shipped out on a temporary basis to another club in the Scottish Premiership.
It will not be worthwhile sending him to a lower league because he already has bags of talent, so St Mirren does seem a very realistic destination.
This is Futbol rating 9/10