As soon as a Kieran Tierney bursts through, after a debut from Jack Aitchison or Calvin Miller there is always one follow up question- who’s next?
Yesterday against Partick Thistle in the Development League a strong marker was laid down with Mikey Johnston scoring four time as Celtic bounced back from being two goals down to win 5-2.
Johnston is a classic number ten, full of tricks with great vision, the ability to pass and also has a striker’s instinct around goal.
Unfortunately he is slightly built but through the Celtic Academy they have recognised a special talent that needs nurtured through. His build might delay his breakthrough but Johnston has come through the school of hard knocks and is used to playing against more physical, intimidating opponents.
Celtic development 5:2 Partick. Mikey Johnston with 4 goals, Mark Hill with the other. @mikeyjohnston10 pic.twitter.com/GfOf7iQ0Eh
— Li’l Zé (@LilZe7) February 7, 2017
In May 2015 as a 15-year-old he scored with almost his first touch in his debut for the Development team in a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock. Johnston replaced Tom Rogic that day.
Last season he was with the u-17 side that completed the double of league championship and Glasgow Cup.
Despite being the stand out talent in that side, alongside Aitchison, he was left out of the Scotland side for the u-17 European Championship Finals. It was no surprise when Scot Gemmill’s side lost all three matches without scoring a single goal.
Undeterred by that setback Johnston turned down options to go out on loan at the start of the season in order to take part in the UEFA Youth League- he had no doubts about the hoops making it through to the group phase.
At youth level Manchester City, Barcelona and Borussia Monchengladbach are just as daunting but Johnston and his team-mates gained valuable experience of what to expect if they break through to the first team.
Alongside the UEFA Youth League Johnston has been working his way into the Celtic Development side. Eleven goals from nine starts and a number of substitute appearances tell their own story.
Jumping from u-17 to what is effectively an u-20 league is a big leap. Last week against Falkirk, Johnston was close to top form but had little luck around goal although his main role was as a creator.
Realising when to release a pass to a team-mate is the biggest area of development in his game but it’s tough when you have an effortless ability to glide past opponents.
Yesterday it all came good against Thistle with four goals lifting Celtic into third place in the Development League.
It may not be until towards the end of next season that he’s closing in on a first team place but it genuinely does seem like only a matter of time.
And once Johnston makes the breakthrough the good news is that there are plenty of others bubbling along just waiting for the right circumstances to make their mark.
