Mikey Johnston has posted an emotional farewell message to Celtic days after completing his £3m transfer to West Brom in the closing days of the summer transfer window…
Mikey had come through the Celtic Academy and was regarded by the club as the best player to do so in his generation, up there with the likes of James Forrest and Callum McGregor who came before.
Yet while the skill was there, the physical aspect was lacking as Mikey progressed to the first team squad as a talented teenager. And for a number of years the pattern was set, with injuries plaguing his progress.
The night up at McDiarmid Park when Mikey took a knock, refused to come off then moments later suffered a worse injury with the then Celtic manager Neil Lennon being caught on camera making his own views on that situation very clear sort of summed up Mikey’s fate in a Celtic jersey. It just seemed destined not to happen.
A moderately successful loan spell in Portugal was followed by a return to Celtic and the chance to work with Brendan Rodgers, who had previously given Mikey his debut. Brendan gave Mikey minutes in the first half of last season but it looked like the winger was maybe trying too hard, wanted it to work too much and it just didn’t happen. By half-time in the Hearts game with Celtic two goals down, the Celtic support turned on Mikey who had his poorest 45 minutes in a Celtic jersey.
A loan to West Brom was arranged at the end of January and there, away from the pressures of playing for Celtic, Mikey’s regained his mojo. As already said the ability was always there in abundance. An international switch to become a Republic of Ireland international and he is now a regular in their squad.
After his loan at the Hawthorns, which was hugely successful, Mikey became a player of note for Championship sides with West Brom, Burnley and Sheffield United (both relegated from the Premier League) all having offers for Johnston accepted by Celtic last week.
The choice was left to Mikey and understandably he chose to return to the Hawthorns, where he is already a huge fans favourite.
Mikey is a huge Celtic supporter and that won’t change. He’ll have a good career in England and could even end up playing in the Premier League with West Brom next season. They weren’t too far away last season, aided by Mikey’s outstanding goals and assists totals.
A few days after leaving Celtic, Mikey took to his Instagram account to say his goodbyes to Celtic.
“It’s hard to say goodbye. I feel very fortunate to have been able to play for Celtic,” Mikey wrote. “I’ve lived my dream, playing just one minute would have been enough. Thank you to everyone at the club for helping me grow as a player and as a person throughout the years.
“Thank you to the fans who supported me through the good times and the bad. Looking forward to a new chapter now and going back to being a Celtic fan again. Hail hail, MJ.”
Some of Mikey’s former teammates at Celtic responded to this message.
“What a guy, what a player,” Adam Montgomery said. Christopher Jullien added: “Crack”. Joe Hart said: “Go smash it Mikey.” Bosun Lawal added a ‘wow”. Dane Murray added: “all the best mate”. Stephen Welsh commented: “Delighted for you mate good luck”.
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