Celtic loanee Mikey Johnston continues to shine at West Bromwich Albion despite previously being a bit-part player at Parkhead.
Joining on deadline day, the Republic of Ireland international has been in mercurial form, registering seven goals and one assist in 14 Sky Bet Championship fixtures [Transfermarkt].
Impressing his teammates, the 24-year-old earned high praise from Baggies’ club captain Jed Wallace last month, who made a tongue-in-cheek dig at Celtic due to his lack of minutes at Parkhead,
He stated live on talkSPORT: “To be honest, he has been unbelievable since he came in the door. He settled straight away and has not looked back. Celtic must have some wingers if he can’t get a game.”
Hilarity aside, the Lennoxtown graduate has made an excellent impact at the Hawthorns, completing 27 successful dribbles and recording a 77.8% tackle rate on league duty, alongside earning an average match rating of 7.30/10 [Fotmob].
Earning recognition for his displays, the Irishman has been nominated for the March PFA Championship Fans’ Player of the Month Award, where he is up against Haji Wright, Ethan Ampadu, Leif Davis, Josh Sargent, and Matt Clarke for the accolade.
Questions will continue to linger surrounding his prospects at Celtic; however, we should appreciate that he is back playing with a smile on his face.
Mikey Johnston earns further recognition away from Celtic
Per West Brom’s official website, Johnston has now been put forward as a contender to win March’s Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month after scoring four in five to aid the Baggies’ promotion push, including a double away to Huddersfield Town.
Norwich City midfielder Gabriel Sara, Coventry City forward Ellis Simms and Ipswich Town left-back Leif Davis are also in contention for the prize, which a three-man panel will decide consisting of Don Goodman, Trevor Birch and Sky Bet EFL Trader Ivor Davies.
We will know who has been awarded the Player of the Month for March at some point tomorrow, and Johnston being rewarded for some brilliant form would be a crystallization of his new-found influence at West Brom.
From a Celtic perspective, there may be an opportunity to cash in on his services this summer for a substantial fee if Brendan Rodgers deems the winger surplus to requirements.
Striking when the iron is hot is important in football, and Johnston’s exploits may stand to make the club an unexpected windfall in the transfer market.