Loan winger is on a Celtic mission

Mikey Johnston is ready to make his final push to become a Celtic regular.

The winger made his debut just over six years ago alongside Tony Ralston but for a variety of reasons his progress has been stop-start.

Injuries and fitness concerns have been the biggest issue over the last couple of years but a season on loan at Vitoria Guimaraes appears to have cleared that issue.

Johnstone has started 13 matches and came off the bench 10 times in 35 league matches with decision time looming at Celtic.

Wingers are critical to the way that Ange Postecoglou plays, with speculation that Liel Abada is looking to move elsewhere there could be an opening for Johnston to take advantage of.

Speaking to the Daily Record, Johnston said:

What happens next season isn’t really down to me. I’ve given it everything I’ve got over here and I’ve enjoyed it but if I can go back to Celtic and play, that’s definitely something I want to do.

I’m 24 and this is the most games I’ve played in a season. I want to build on that, not go back the way.

I’d love to play for Celtic next season but we’ll have to wait and see. I’ve always thought I could play for the club on a regular basis. I’ve never felt I wasn’t good enough to be there.

Once you do that, you’re defeated. Obviously, I’ve watched as many games as I possibly could over here. They’ve done brilliantly this season and I want to be involved in that. Any player would.

I reckon they’ll have watched me this season in Portugal. I’ve had a few messages from people at the club.

Johnston was in and out of the Celtic side in the first half of last season but after the January Transfer window he found his appearances very limited, his contract runs until May 2026.