Mikey Johnston may have departed Celtic in 2024, but his love for the club remains strong and that’s also the case with French striker Moussa Dembele…
Now playing for West Bromwich Albion, the winger recently revealed the best player he has ever played alongside—and it was a name that will be fondly remembered by the Celtic support.
Celtic has long been a breeding ground for top footballing talent, with the likes of Jeremie Frimpong and Virgil van Dijk passing through its ranks. Mikey Johnston, who emerged from the club’s academy, made 93 appearances, scoring 13 goals and providing 12 assists before making a permanent switch to West Brom after an initial loan move. Despite his new surroundings, his admiration for a former Parkhead teammate remains unwavering.
Johnston Hails Moussa Dembele as His Best Teammate
During a recent discussion posted on X among West Brom players about the best footballer they have shared a pitch with, Johnston gave an emphatic response—former Celtic striker Moussa Dembele. The French forward, who made a name for himself at Parkhead with crucial goals against Rangers and a prolific scoring record of 51 goals in 94 games, clearly left a lasting impression on Johnston.
Some serious names mentioned. 👀 pic.twitter.com/BjU29NM9qL
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) April 1, 2025
Johnston’s affinity for Celtic was evident when he bid farewell to the club last summer, sharing an emotional message on Instagram:
“It’s hard to say goodbye. I feel very fortunate to have been able to play for Celtic. 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.”
Moussa Dembele’s Affection for Celtic Endures
Dembele, now playing for Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, has also expressed his deep connection to Celtic. Speaking to Football Scotland last year, he admitted that he had not initially considered a move to Scotland but ultimately found it to be one of the best decisions of his career.
“Everything came quickly, and I had to decide with my family and friends and make sure I took the right decision for my career. Obviously, if you had told me before that I would play in Scotland then I would have said no! But I think it was one of the best experiences of my life playing for Celtic. I enjoyed those two years and I’m still a big fan of Celtic and keep following the club every game. If you’d told me before my journey would be that great, I’d have signed straight away.”
Moussa Dembele also reflected on his most cherished moments in football, with one Celtic memory standing above the rest.
“The best memory of my career was scoring three goals against Rangers. There was scoring the winner against St Etienne, scoring two in the quarter-finals (of the Champions League) for Lyon against Manchester City—there are many of them, but if I had to choose one, it would probably be the hat-trick against Rangers.”
A Lasting Celtic Legacy
Although Mikey Johnston and Moussa Dembele have moved on from Celtic, their admiration for the club and each other remains evident. As Johnston continues his journey in the English Championship and Dembele makes his mark in Saudi Arabia, both players still hold Celtic close to their hearts—ensuring that their time in Glasgow will never be forgotten.
Moussa Dembele NEVER scored against rangers … ever !