Brendan Rodgers yesterday gave Celtic Shorts an interesting insight into his views on Mikey Johnston and this clearly shows how highly he rates the Celtic winger, who is currently doing extremely well on loan at West Brom. There is also a clear indication that Mikey will still have a future at Celtic come the summer when his loan spell ends.
Championship Player of the Month
I asked the Celtic manager this question: “Mikey Johnston has just won the Championship Player of the Month. I asked Adam (Idah) about how Celtic would perform in the Championship and to compare the two divisions. What are your thoughts?”
Brendan Rodgers replied: “I would echo those thoughts. We’ve shown what we can do. You look at Atletico Madrid the other night in the Quarter-Final of the Champions League and we ran them very close, certainly in the home game. The size of this club would always make you compete well in the Premier League. You’d have all the resources and all the finances involved that would see you up there towards the top of the league.
He was contributing for us
In terms of Mikey, shifting onto him, I’m absolutely delighted for him, because he’s a young player that I always said I rated highly. It’s been a challenge for him the past couple of years with injuries and having to go out on loan to play.
“The first six months of his time here, I said to him “Just prove that you’re fit and have the fitness level to sustain and train every day and be able to be available for games.” In fairness to him, he did that, and by the end, he was contributing for us.
He really needed games
“He really needed games, he’s 24 years of age and needed to get out and play. What he’s shown and demonstrated is no surprise. I said it before, he’s one of the best talents to come out of the academy. He’s quick, he’s direct and he can score goals.
Full of confidence and be ready to make an impact
“For him to go there and get that award – with some outstanding players in the Championship – it shows you how well he’s done. Hopefully, he can continue with that and come back to here in the summer and be really energised again and full of confidence and be ready to make an impact.”
