A selection of Celtic fans have turned to Twitter to rave over Brendan Rodgers’ decision to start Michael Johnston for the club’s Scottish League Cup clash against Partick Thistle on Saturday.
The Hoops head to Firhill Stadium off the back of a tumultuous week, having suffered defeat in both the Premiership and Champions League qualifiers, as well as having to deal with Dedryck Boyata seemingly refusing to play.
After losing to AEK Athens in midweek, the club confirmed on their official Twitter account that Rodgers had made six changes, with Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, Jozo Simunovic, Mikael Lustig, James Forrest, Callum McGregor dropping out for Scott Bain, Christian Gamboa, Kristoffer Ajer, Emilio Izaguirre, Mikey Johnston and Scott Sinclair.
? #CelticFC team to face @PartickThistle in the #BetfredCup this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/dnYyHVhD4k
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 18, 2018
It was the decision to start 19-year-old Johnston, a left winger, which had fans reacting for all the right reasons on social media.
This is Futbol has rounded up a selection of the supporters’ tweets:
Good to see young Mikey Johnston getting a chance. ??
— Tam (@TamMcKenna1888) August 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/DarrenSweeneyy/status/1030762104691863552
Great to see Johnston, Gamboa n Bain getting a shot…… n hopefully Sinclair can continue his rise bk to form? C’MON CELTIC!! #Celtic
— TheHoops?????????? (@67_Celtic_1888) August 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/lloydybhoy90/status/1030760070609596416
Cmon the hoops back to winning ways today! Excited to see wee Johnston starting! 3-0 to the Celts ? https://t.co/TQDK6VD9c1
— John McConnell (@johnbhoy83) August 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/MuiryCeltic/status/1030760472021217280
https://twitter.com/TheBeardedBhoy/status/1030760242290876416
Interesting team selection.. good to see Gamboa starting hopefully Sinclair picks up where he left off & Johnston takes his chance! Come on Celtic back to winning ways ?
— Steo Kelly (@steokelly89) August 18, 2018
Strong team + a start for Mikey Johnston, no Arzani in the squad. I like this side. Thoughts? https://t.co/fdSZr9a0ad
— The Cynic (@90MinuteCynic) August 18, 2018
Opinion
Rodgers’ decision for the League Cup clash was always going to be dissected after such a tough week, and the expectations will be for the Hoops to blow the Championship side out of the water after two straight defeats. However he seems to have hit the nail on the head by including young Johnston, who the supporters obviously hold in high regard despite his tender years. The Bhoys need something to celebrate after their struggles over the past seven days and if the young forward can dazzle in the cup, it should take their minds off things. Could this be the start of something special for the 19-year-old? If he can put in the performances expected of him, and prove he deserves to be part of the first team squad on a regular basis, then Rodgers must use him. At least he knows he will have the fans on side for keeping the youngster in and around the senior side.