'We talk openly’… Brendan Rodgers addresses Mikey Johnston’

‘We talk openly’… Brendan Rodgers addresses Mikey Johnston’s future, Celtic winger suffers new injury. Read More

Mikey Johnston’s future at Celtic remains uncertain as multiple clubs monitor his situation in the final weeks of the summer transfer window. Now in his eighth season as a senior player for Celtic, Johnston made his debut under Brendan Rodgers in 2017 during the manager’s first stint at the club. Despite showing glimpses of talent, Johnston has struggled to establish himself as a consistent presence in the Celtic lineup, with injuries hampering his progress over the years.

In recent seasons, Johnston has been loaned out to clubs in Portugal and more recently to West Bromwich Albion, where he enjoyed a successful spell in the latter half of last season. His performances for the Baggies were impressive, with Johnston netting seven goals, which significantly boosted his profile and value as a player. However, despite these successes, Johnston has not managed to secure a regular spot in Rodgers’ squad at Celtic. He remains on the fringes, often used as a substitute or a rotation option rather than a regular starter.

Given his current situation, Johnston is likely considering his options as he seeks more regular playing time. When asked about Johnston’s future, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers hinted that an exit might be on the horizon. Speaking at a media conference on Friday, Rodgers expressed an openness to whatever the future holds for the winger. He shared that he has a good relationship with Johnston, having given him his debut when he was just 18, and that they maintain open communication.

Rodgers acknowledged that Johnston is probably at a stage in his career where he desires more consistent playing time. He noted that Johnston had worked hard during the pre-season and has put himself in a strong position, but also mentioned that several clubs have shown interest in the winger. Rodgers stated that they would see what happens over the next couple of weeks, suggesting that a transfer might be a possibility for Johnston as he seeks more opportunities to play.

Unfortunately, Johnston recently suffered a facial injury during Celtic’s 3-2 victory over Hibernian at Easter Road, which has ruled him out of the upcoming Scottish League Cup match on Sunday. Rodgers confirmed that Johnston will be unavailable for the weekend fixture, but he is expected to rejoin the training group soon. The injury, described as a problem with his eye socket that extends deeper into his face, is not expected to sideline him for an extended period.

With interest from other clubs and the transfer window closing soon, Johnston’s injury could potentially complicate any transfer plans. However, all parties are hopeful that the injury will not impact his chances of securing a move to a club where he can play more regularly. Rodgers, for his part, seems willing to support Johnston’s pursuit of regular football elsewhere if that is the best option for the player.

As the transfer window nears its end, Johnston’s future at Celtic remains up in the air. Whether he stays and fights for his place or moves on to seek new opportunities, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining the next chapter of his career.