People don’t realise how big the pressure is- loan boy looks in at Celtic as an outsider

Now in his Celtic spell out on loan Mikey Johnston has been reflecting on the pressure involved in playing for Celtic.

At the age of 17 the winger made his Celtic debut towards the end of the Invincible Season, at the age of 19 he started the Scottish Cup Final win over Hearts that completed the Treble Treble.

Injuries, changes of manager, the Lockdown Season and the expectations of supporters have all contributed towards the winger failing to become a regular starter at Celtic where he has been involved since his primary school days.

Over his career to date Johnston has also managed to fit in a loan spell at Vitoria Guimaraes and swap from being a Scotland u-21 internationalist to becoming a full Ireland internationalist.

A regular starting place has so far eluded him but two goals in four appearances on loan for West Brom has opened up possibilities with the Baggies chasing football’s biggest pay day on a return to the EPL.

That piles the pressure on Johnston but speaking to the Express and Star that is something that he has lived with every minute of his career:

The pressure at Celtic is massive. It’s a massive club and I don’t think people realise how big the pressure is. I’ve obviously been exposed to that from a young age. It’s definitely something I look forward to.

I need the pressure to perform and we want to make the play-offs, which are big occasions and that’s the kind of games I want to play in. I’ve had experience and it’s put me in good stead to this point and I feel like I’m ready.

This is a massive challenge in a big league, a tough league and different to what I’ve experienced before. I feel like I’ve got the tools to deal with it.

Johnston is under contract with Celtic until May 2026, on Saturday West Brom are away to Hull City and looking to consolidate fifth place which would give them a Play Off place.

CLICK HERE for Johnston’s Transfermarkt profile.