Celtic have such a large first-team squad it is virtually impossible to guarantee gametime to all of the players available to Brendan Rodgers.
The Hoops gaffer has admitted that he plans to trim the squad down in January and that exits for some players who are hardly featuring will happen.
Mikey Johnston looks like he could be one that will leave either on loan or permanently as the Celtic winger has barely featured for Rodgers despite putting in very impressive performances for the Republic of Ireland.
And the 24-year-old has been told by pundit, Mark Guidi, that if he wants more first-team football, he needs to leave the club.
Guidi said [The Go Radio Football Show], “The Liam Scales story is obviously inspirational to any footballer that’s maybe struggling to find his way.
“Mikey Johnston, I don’t see him beating or ever getting ahead of Liel Abada when he’s fit or Palma now or Maeda who’s on the other side.
“So I think Mikey Johnston’s a very talented footballer but I think to get regular football, I think he’ll need to go elsewhere.”
Johnston is yet to start a game for Celtic under Brendan Rodgers this season. Yes, an injury kept him out of the team at the start of the season but now he’s fully recovered, he’s only been seen once in a Celtic jersey.
Getting 25 minutes off the bench in the 0-0 draw with Hibs this season is not enough for a player who has ambitions of being a regular for his country.
And it seems at the moment that a move will be best for him this season. Like Guidi, I also believe that Johnston has no chance of getting in ahead of Palma, Maeda or Abada when fit.
In fact, I would go as far to say that Hyunjun Yang is ahead of Johnston in the pecking order. I fear Johnston’s Celtic career may well be over and that it would be best for all parties if he left the club as soon as a club is willing to take him.
In other news, ‘I like him’… Davie Provan is a huge fan of 22-year-old Celtic player who has ‘tormented’ Rangers
