Mikey Johnston

I rate the kid but that's just not true. As frustrating as Sinclair is he chips in with some of highest goal and assist tallies.

 

Bhoy played well tonight, his decision making for final pass/shot needs work but will improve with experience, he was our standout tonight

 

Should start v Sarajevo imo

 

Wee Mikey 'Bob Dylan' Johnston. What a * talent. Big Hope's for this kid.

 

I hereby stake my reputation as the most knowledgeable and informed user on TalkCeltic by stating Mickey Johnstone will have a massive season for us and be a key player in our quest for 9 in a row.

 

HE is the fitness guru who helped Shaun Maloney to prolong his career.

Now Hugh Watson is helping Mikey Johnston to start his.

The hugely-respected sports science coach is someone former Celtic star Maloney is indebted to.

Watson’s skills in rehabilitation helped the one-time Scotland winger to fully recover from a nasty ACL injury.


Johnston, 20, has now turned to the expert in a bid to get in the best shape possible to help him become a regular in Neil Lennon’s Celtic side.

He said: “I’ve been working really hard in training and over the summer. I came back in flying and feeling like I was really fit.

It was Shaun Maloney who recommended him. He used him a lot when he was here.

“I still text Shaun here and there because he’s got good advice for me. I always like to listen to people who have got a lot of experience.

“I was away on holiday doing stuff every day when I was there, then I met the fitness coach when I got back for a couple of sessions.

“Most people do it, it’s just what you do when you get to this level. I just needed to come back in really flying.

“You don’t get much of a holiday anyway and that’s what you need to do if you want to come back in flying.

“At a club like this, that’s what everyone has to do. You don’t get a lot of time off and you’re into big games right away.

“We’ve got a European game coming up already, so you need to be ready.”

Johnston was one of Celtic’s stand-out players on their training camp in Austria.

He added: “I’m feeling good after the trip and I thought I did all right.

“The main thing with pre-season is getting your fitness up and I’m feeling good in that respect.

“When you’re transitioning from youth football into first-team football, the intensity is a lot higher and lasting games is a wee bit harder.

“I used to last games at youth level and I want to be able to play 90 minutes at first-team level every week.

“The week before the Scottish Cup final, I played the 90 against Hearts.

“It was the same team we were playing in the final, the same game, but I cramped up.

“Maybe because it’s a bigger game and the adrenaline is going. It could be that.

“I want to kick on this year, starting with the European games.

"I played in some big games last year and that gave me the experience to go into this year and hopefully take what I’ve learned into those games.

“I played in the Mestalla Stadium as well and games like that are great experience.

“The European games I’ve played at youth level hold you in good stead too.

“I hope I can keep getting opportunities if I keep working hard. Hopefully I can kick on and break into the team permanently.

“You always talk to the manager here and there. He gives you pieces of advice that you take on board.”

Celtic’s Euro campaign starts against Sarajevo on Tuesday and Johnston’s ready for the challenge ahead.

He said: “Of course there’s pressure, but these are the games you need to win to get into Europe, so everyone will be up for them. There’s no doubt about that.

“Everyone is looking forward to it and hopefully we can get the result away from home, because that’s vital.

We have been working towards it tactically, working on our shape, since we’ve been back. The preparation has been good so far.

“The way we always play is looking to impose ourselves.”

 

Wee man!.

 

Full of confidence and arrogance, just what's needed.

 

Young pler of the year

 

Beauty of a strike.

 

Another goal for the boy with no end product.

 

We're covered in class wingers for years to come. Got to keep Mikey healthy though.

 

Massive season ahead from him. What a strike

 

Any word on his injury? Really hope it's nothing serious man.

 

Strike kiddo