Pundit and former player Alan Rough has recently made a claim about Celtic’s young winger Mikey Johnston.
Rough was recently present as a guest on the latest episode of PLZ Soccer’s The Football Show and the panel discussed many issues surrounding Scottish football. They also talked about Johnston and Rough had some things to say about the young Hoops man.
Celtic boss Neil Lennon recently confirmed that Johnston is injured and that he is ‘back home’. He revealed that the winger is having issues with his calves and he ‘needs to see a specialist’. The Hoops manager said that this is ‘frustrating’ for the player and the club.
When talking about Johnston, Rough said: “I thought that was one of the reasons that [Scott] Sinclair moved on, because I thought any time he was given a chance, he looked really impressive.
“He’s a different kind of player from most of the players they’ve got. He’s a wee nippy guy, who can get in and about people. [He’s got] great, fast feet, can get into the box and he can score goals.
Does Johnston have a future at Parkhead?
Yes, he does
No, he'll leave
“It’s a shame, because he’s picked up two or three injuries now, just as he’s been forcing himself into that squad. I hope it’s not a really sore one, it is just a calf injury, I think. Let’s hope he can get over that as soon as possible.”
Rough felt that Johnston’s development was one of the reasons Sinclair was sold to Preston North End in the January transfer window. He believes that the player has something that other Celtic players don’t have.
TIF Thoughts…
Johnston, who is currently valued at £900k, made 21 appearances in all competitions in the 2019/20 season and directly contributed to 12 goals. He scored six goals and racked up as many assists. That is a pretty good goal contribution rate for a 21-year-old like him (as per Transfermarkt).
He missed 20 games due to injury last season (as per Transfermarkt), so another injury comes as a real blow for him and his progress in the club’s first team. Celtic fans can only hope that he puts these troubles behind him soon.