Mikey Johnston’s brilliant start to his loan spell at West Brom has made him a huge fans favourite at the Hawthorns with the West Brom supporters demanding that the club get him signed up in the summer on a permanent contract.
Attracting interest
But the on-loan Celtic winger is also attracting interest among the Championship sides who have had a close-up view of Johnston tearing up their division and it looks like West Brom are going to be facing a stiff challenge from elsewhere if they are to sign the 24 year-old Irish international.
West Brom failed to insert an option to buy in their loan agreement with Celtic at the end of the January transfer window. That’s the same situation Celtic find themselves in regarding Adam Idah’s loan move from Norwich City and there may be a opportunity for the two clubs to reach an agreement that would allow a swap rather than transfer fees being paid. That would be bad news for West Brom.
Carlton Palmer’s comments
Former Hawthorns legend Carlton Palmer has been speaking about the impact that Mikey Johnston has made at his old club and worries that the likes of Norwich City could nip in and sign the top talent from under West Brom’s noses from Celtic this summer.
“Mikey Johnston has continued his flying time at West Brom since he joined on loan in the January transfer window, netting his sixth goal for West Bromwich Albion in their latest win against Huddersfield Town,” Palmer told Football League World
“He’s had a fantastic time since joining from Celtic on loan.”
Clubs will be taking note
“Yes, a lot of clubs will be taking note of the way that he’s playing, so you will be looking at clubs who will be looking at players moving on, Jack Clarke will be moving on, [Jon] Rowe will be moving on, and people will be looking at Mikey Johnston as a possible replacement.
“But he’s having a fabulous time at West Brom, and he’s enjoying his football there. He’s still currently got his contract at his parent club at Celtic, there is no fee being written to his contract, so who knows whether West Brom would be able to afford him with the new owners they’ve got in.
“But certainly, Norwich and Sunderland, and other prospective Championship clubs will be monitoring the situation given his outstanding form for West Bromwich Albion.
Celtic will be looking at least £2m or £3m
“With Sunderland’s policy of trying to buy young players, and get them in cheap, I don’t think Johnston will fall into that because I think Celtic will be looking at least £2m or £3m given his form in the Championship.
“So whether Sunderland have the money to pay that, Norwich do have the money to pay for Mikey Johnston, so we’ll have to see come the end of the season, but he’s certainly done great things at West Brom and attracting a lot of attention.”
Rodgers keen on signing Adam Idah
With Brendan Rodgers keen on signing Adam Idah from Norwich and the Carrow Road side interested in Mikey Johnston a player swap could be on the cards and would suit all parties.
Mikey Johnston is a hugely talented player but just hasn’t been able to show it in a Celtic shirt, where perhaps the pressure of playing for the team he supports is too much. Having endured a horrible December at Celtic he’s bound to be loving playing his football at West Brom where he’s won the fans over and is regarded as a hero.
Confidence players
Wingers are confidence players and that was in short supply watching Mikey in the Hoops. One way or another he should get the move that will make him happy this summer and go on to have a great career. Whether that’s at West Brom, Norwich City or elsewhere doesn’t really matter just as long as he can enjoy playing his football again.
