Mikey Johnston is an exciting product of Celtic’s academy.
Neil Lennon has told The Scottish Sun that Celtic coach Damien Duff is ‘quite tough’ on Mikey Johnston in training, but that the Lennoxtown gem responds to it well.
The 20-year-old is lined up for his biggest season in the Hoops’ senior side it seems.
Johnston has scored some big goals for Celtic already this season, notably against Cluj in a Champions League qualifier and another in last week’s narrow 2-1 League Cup win over Dunfermline.
He has three goals in all competitions so far, but the Celtic boss believes that there’s much more to come and claims that training under Duff – a Premier League champion with Chelsea in 2005 – is paying dividends.
He told The Scottish Sun: “I’m delighted with Mikey’s progress and the start he’s made to the season. I’ve shown faith in him, but you have to. He’s played in a lot of big games, which was the challenge we threw to Mikey at the start of the season.
“We know there’s more to come from him. He works with Damien most days and he’s quite tough on him, but he responds in the right way.”
Brendan Rodgers, Lennon’s predecessor, was also a big fan of Johnston and that’s another big feather in the youngster’s cap.
He might not get a tonne of chances to start games, especially up front, but it’s imperative that he makes the most of any opportunity that does come his way – and, at the moment, he’s doing just that.
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