GROW MUst GO ON
MIKEY JOHNSTON has taken everything in his stride during his rise to first-team stardom at Celtic.
And it was the same when it came to the departure of the man who handed him the big breakthrough at Parkhead.
Brendan Rodgers gave Johnston his debut, a new deal until 2023 and trusted him to start the last Old Firm clash at Ibrox.
For most kids the departure of such an influential figure would be a bitter blow but not for level-headed Johnston.
The 19-year-old was described as a “huge talent” by Rodgers and is now hoping Neil Lennon sees him as one who has a big part to play at Parkhead.
Lennon introduced Johnston as a half-time substitute for Scott Sinclair in Saturday’s goalless draw against Aberdeen as he tried to find that creative BY GAVIN BERRY spark which was lacking in the opening 45 minutes.
It was Johnston’s second appearance since Lennon took charge with the Scotland Under-21 kid also coming off the bench in the 2-0 Scottish Cup victory at Easter Road the previous week.
The winger was just a schoolkid on the books of the champions when Lenny was in charge first time around but has been unfazed by the managerial change.
Johnston said: “I wasn’t too down. The old gaffer liked me and gave me opportunities, which I was really grateful for.
“But managers moving on is a part of football and it’s just something we have to deal with. Not a lot has changed really, although I can’t come to a conclusion yet because Neil Lennon’s not long in the door.
“He has spoken to me since he came into the club, giving me confidence but nothing big. I didn’t really know him before.
“I played at youth level when he was the manager before but I was only 13 or 14 so didn’t work under him at all.”
Johnston bagged three goals in two games to earn that start in the derby defeat before the winter break but has found competition tougher since the action resumed.
Timo Weah and Oliver Burke were both recruited on loan but Johnston said: “I’m still young. I’m just working hard and trying to bide my time. Hopefully I will get chances.”
Rodgers said towards the end of last year that Johnston needs “to get physically stronger to cope” and the youngster said: “I’ve always been more slightly built. That’s a part of my game.
“I don’t think it holds me back. It’s something I can take in my stride and use to bring out the best in me.”
Celtic badly missed the creativity of crocked trio Tom Rogic, Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie as they failed to break down a disciplined Dons side at home.
Johnston was thrown on at the break along with Odsonne Edouard and the Frenchman had a shot well saved by Dons keeper Joe Lewis. Johnston also curled one just past the post after a fizzed ball across goal that fellow sub Weah almost got on the end of.
He said: “The game was really frustrating. But it’s not too negative from our point of view because the league is still in our hands. So we can’t be too down about it.
“A lot of teams do the same thing against us, sitting in, but we need to be able to break teams down and score goals. When the manager put me on he just told me to go out and do my stuff, beat the full-back and try to get us a goal. Skipper Scott Brown refused to make any excuses after failing to win a domestic home game for the first time this season after 16 league and cup victories at Parkhead. He said: “A draw was a fair result. It was always going to be a hard match. “Aberdeen always play very direct and cause us problems. We dealt with that at the back but just couldn’t create chances and put the ball in the back of the net. “Aberdeen have players up front who are quick, strong and aggressive in the tackle but Dedryck Boyata and Kris Ajer matched up to them.” Boyata was named Man of the Match and is now looking to Sunday’s trip to Dundee to get back on track. The Belgian said: “The clean sheet is a consolation but we missed out on the win. We’ll try to get it the next time.”