West Brom move for Mikey Johnston makes perfect sense

Mikey Johnston could be heading back out on loan to join English Championship promotion contenders West Brom, according to reporter Mark Hendry, writing in Football Scotland today.

Lewis Stevenson of Hibernian vies with Mikey Johnston of Celtic during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Hibernian FC at Celtic Park on December 06, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The 24 year-old Republic of Ireland international winger is looking for more game time and that doesn’t look like happening for him at Celtic with the return to first team football from the fit-again Liel Abada and the signing of German winger Nicolas Kuhn for £3m from Rapid Vienna.

Johnston had a moderately successful loan spell at Vitoria Guimarães last season where he played 31 times, scoring three goals and providing five assists, but returned to Celtic in the summer then picked up yet another injury, something that has been a frustrating fact of life for his time at Celtic. However he returned to full fitness and has featured in 11 matches as Brendan Rodgers gave him every chance to establish himself in his first team plans.

22nd March 2023 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland: International Football Friendly, Republic of Ireland versus Latvia Mikey Johnston of Ireland thanking the fans after the full time whistle. Photo Action Plus Peter Fitzpatric

It’s been hit and miss to be honest and in the first half of the December defeat to Hearts at Celtic Park, Mikey’s form hit rock bottom. However, to be fair to him, he picked himself up from that and has certainly improved. he looked lively on Sunday against Buckie Thistle when he came off the bench and did brilliantly to set up young Rocco Vata for his first goal for Celtic.

West Brom are currently in fifth position in the Championship and their manager Carlos Corberán is looking to the Ireland international winger to provide an additional attacking option as he aims for promotion to the Premier League.

Mikey looks like a player under enormous pressure at Celtic and the support’s patience seems to have been worn thin which probably doesn’t help but is also understandable. A move away probably suits all parties a West Brom side on the front foot looking for promotion sounds like the idea situation for the hugely talent Celtic Academy graduate, whose best days in the game are certainly ahead of him.