Loan bhoy enjoys winning start to life in Portugal

Mikey Johnston was a half-time substitute last night as Vitoria Guimaraes beat Santa Clara 1-0 in a Portuguese League match.

Anderson Silva scored in the 48th minute of the match to end a three match losing run for Guimaraes and lift them into a respectable fifth place in the table.

Johnston was involved in Celtic’s pre-season friendlies but the outing against Santa Clara was his first competitive action since a 15 minute appearance off the bench away to Dundee United in March.

Getting involved in a winning start will be a good boost for Johnston who is badly in need of regular football with a variety of factors preventing that opportunity at Celtic.

There seemed to be loan offers on the table from a variety of clubs with the move to Portugal seeming to offer him the best prospect of realising the potential that has been on hold over the last couple of years.

Next Sunday Guimaraes are away to Arouca where Ismaila Soro has started three matches and came off the bench twice since leaving Celtic on loan.