Mikey Johnston is facing a long road back to fitness with Neil Lennon describing the process as a slow burner.
The winger suffered cruciate ligament damage against St Johnstone in January but was pictured in training at Lennoxtown during the most recent international break.
Celtic had been short of left sided options before the arrival of Diego Laxalt but it doesn’t seem that Johnston is likely to return in the short term.
Asked about the winger’s recovery plan, Lennon told The Glasgow Times:
Mikey is a wee bit away yet. He hasn’t played any football since January and he’s also had surgery during that time. He has an injury against St Johnstone and then required operations on both calfs so it’s going to be a slow burner for him and he’ll probably pick up a few niggles on his road back.
The lack, or absence, of fixtures below first team level makes it difficult for players returning from long term injuries to get upto match fitness. On the plus side being able to use five substitutes from nine does provide additional playing options.
Johnston seemed to be most proficient last season playing on the left of a 4-2-3-1 formation and is also comfortable playing in the central role behind the striker.
