Kenny Miller reckons Mikey Johnston has put himself in the shop window at West Brom.
Celtic winger Johnston has been given a new lease of life in the Championship after a frustrating few years at Parkhead. The Republic of Ireland star has lit up the promotion-chasing Baggies by netting six goals so far, with fans already urging boss Carlos Corberán to make his loan deal permanent.
Johnston is unlikely to be short of options this summer, though, and while Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers has always been a huge fan of the talented attacker, Miller believes the time is right for the 24-year-old to move on from his boyhood heroes and fulfill his potential elsewhere.
He told Ladbrokes Fanzone: “Mikey is a player I’ve known since he was a 16-year-old kid. I remember watching him for the under 20s, there was a Glasgow cup final at Hampden and Mikey was the standout player on the pitch, despite only being 16 at the time. I think he was one of the players everyone thought would come through and really make an impact in the Celtic team.
“He did, in patches; he had good games here and there but he’s also struggled a lot with injuries. He went out on loan to Portugal last year and had a good season there and then, because of injuries, he was involved quite a lot in the first-team set-up at Celtic earlier this year. I think he scored a couple of goals against Dundee, actually, just before he left for West Brom.
“I have kept an eye on him since he made that move in January, and he’s already scored six goals for West Brom – Mikey’s ability has never been in doubt, he’s just never had that full run at Celtic. He’s maybe always felt it’s been time to move on, and being in that headspace has just meant he’s not been able to go and deliver his best.
“He’s not been given the platform to deliver his best over the last few years, but now he’s got a new challenge at a new and incredibly competitive level in the Championship, with a good club who are expected to be there or thereabout in the push for promotion. Maybe he’s just enjoying being away from that bit-part role at Celtic.
