Celtic’s diminutive winger Mikey Johnston insists he is “100% fit” and is ready to make a mark on Celtic’s season after spending the best part of a year out with a knee injury.
The boyhood Bhoys’ fan was in and around the first team last year, featuring prominently from the bench and making an impact within the senior squad, until a medial collateral injury picked up at St. Johnstone put an end to his season.
Speaking to Celtic TV, Johnston was upbeat about his chances of forcing his way into Neil Lennon’s plans, whilst also congratulating his team mates on a historic week.
Reflecting on Celtic’s twelfth Scottish major trophy in a row, Johnstone said: “It’s been amazing, it’s been a big occasion this week and so obviously to come back at this time has been absolutely brilliant.”
Johnston was aware, though, that this trophy couldn’t solely define Celtic’s season. The Glaswegian acknowledged that watching from the sides has been frustrating as Celtic had been poor throughout the season, but was confident he and his team-mates could kick on from their solid last handful of games to truly make something of their campaign.
“It was really tough, but it can happen to any team, anyone can struggle at some points. Things haven’t gone our way at times, but we’re taking it one game at a time and trying to stay positive each week.”
It has been Johnston’s first long-term injury since progressing past the youth academy, but the tricky wideman insists the injury will not get the better of him.
“I’m getting closer every day, I’ve been working on my fitness and trying to get back to full match fitness, and if I work hard every day in training I know I can get back to that level. I’ve had a couple of spells, but it happens in a lot of people’s careers and all I need to do is bounce back.”
“Lockdown obviously didn’t help – instead of being at the training ground, I had to do a lot of work in the house to get back to full fitness, which was tough. But the club were great and gave me everything I needed for my rehabilitation.” “It’s made me more appreciative, and when I get back onto the pitch I’ll have even more of a boost.”
Wise words from the young man, who will undoubtedly be breathing down the neck of Moi Elyounoussi for the left-wing spot upon his arrival – it is certainly there for the taking.
Here we are once again, the S.F.A. are again giving other teams the go ahead too stamp and elbow Celtic players knowing that they wont be punished on or off the park.. This is the very same pattern , from the same referee, who allowed the other thug, Moreorless, too stamp and kick Celtic players, whenever he wanted, and could and should have been sent off , not once ,but three times, and here is the same midden of a referee, allowing Naysmith to do exaclty the same thing. It is now beyond a laughing matter, more so as the same ref drinks in a sevco fans pub in BELLSHILL, and lives not far away in New Stevenson.. And we are called this and that , but the evidence is plain to see. The slogan, which I agree with, Black lives matter, well here in Scotland, CATHOLIC LIVES MATTER…