Forgotten Celtic star Mikey Johnston impressed Chris Sutton with his performance for the Republic of Ireland against Latvia. He feels the forward had an ‘electric’ impact on the tie.
Yet whilst the 23-year-old stood out off the bench, Sutton claims some Celtic fans will have forgotten Johnston is still contracted to the club. He has spent this season out on loan with Vitoria de Guimaraes in Portugal. The forward is due to return to Parkhead in the summer.
Johnston’s contract with Celtic does not expire until May 2026. But he only held a bit-part presence under Ange Postecoglou after the Australian took over in 2021. The winger made 12 appearances in the Premiership during the 2021/22 campaign and started three games.
Johnston has a more regular place on loan from Celtic at Vitoria de Guimaraes
This season has seen Johnston enjoy a more prominent presence having played in 16 Liga Portugal games and start eight. The Glasgow-born talent has also scored once and laid on two assists so far. He has three goals and three assists in 22 games across all competitions.
What Johnston has shown in Portugal also caught Stephen Kenny’s eye for the Republic of Ireland’s March squad. The Boys in Green boss handed the winger his debut against Latvia this Wednesday. It was also Johnston’s first time featuring in any Republic of Ireland team.
Johnston had enjoyed a frequent international career with Scotland at the junior level. The Celtic product earned caps at Under-15, 17, 19 and 21 levels with the Tartan Army over the years. But he has made his senior international breakthrough with the Republic of Ireland.
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Johnston impresses Sutton with the winger’s Republic of Ireland debut vs Latvia
Kenny could now let Johnston build on his 26 minutes in a friendly against Latvia when the Republic of Ireland host France on Monday in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier. The Bhoys out-on-loan dynamo showed he can help see out a result having come on whilst 3-2 ahead.
Sutton wrote in a column for the Daily Record: “I imagine there are more than a few Celtic fans who didn’t realise he was still on the books at Parkhead.
“Johnston has been on loan in Portugal with Vitoria Guimaraes and while we might not see him every week, he’s obviously shown enough this season to catch the eye of national boss Stephen Kenny.
“And he more than took his chance when it arrived in midweek. He was electric when he came off the bench against Latvia and played a huge part in securing the 3-2 win after the Irish were in danger of throwing a two-goal lead out of the window.
“I’m sure plenty of Celtic fans would have been tuning in and wondering, ‘who is this guy?’ They won’t have been surprised at some of the jinking runs, though. We all know Johnston is capable of doing that sort of thing. He’s got wonderful feet and a turn of pace.”
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