SUNSHINE ALLOWED JOHNSTON TO
Mikey Johnston may have been in the minority of players who have reaped the benef its of Celtic’s jaunt to Dubai.
The Hoops winger insists the controversial winter training camp in the Middle East has helped fast-track his first-team comeback.
After almost a year blighted by knee and calf injuries, the 21-year-old started against Hibs in midweek after a host of the squad were forced to self-isolate.
Johnston admits every cloud has a silver lining.
He said: “I definitely took something away from Dubai. It was a good trip for me.
“The sessions were longer and we also had the heat which helps in terms of f itness. That probably benefited me.
“The sessions were high intensity, they were longer, similar to what we have done in previous years.
“We have always reaped the rewards of that.”
Johnston was deployed against Hibs in a central striking role and believes he’s reaping the benefits of hard work as he aims to grab his chance to shine.
He said: “I worked really hard in the gym doing everything I can to get my body right and get fit for this half of the season.
“I feel in a good place at the moment. When there are 13 players out there’s obviously going to be more chance of me playing. If this is my chance then I have to take it.
“To be honest I felt better than I expected to at the end of the Hibs game.
“My body actually felt pretty good. I have put a lot of work in to get my fitness up so obviously that has paid off.”
Johnston is also in the
minority of players who enjoy plastic pitches and is desperate to get the nod to start against Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena in three days time.
He said: “I have always liked Astroturf. I don’t mind it. That’s not an issue for me.
“Some players have maybe played games on it their full lives and, through wear and tear, can’t do it any more. But for me it is fine. I feel as if you play your best stuff when you are playing regularly.
“Playing one game in a year means I’m not at my best.
“Hopefully I can get a run in the side and that will bring me back to where I was.”
The former Scotland Under-21 kid limped off against St
Johnstone back in January and returned to action from the bench during last month’s win over Kilmarnock.
He now wishes his spells on the treatment table are a thing off the past.
He said: “To be honest I have put my injuries behind me.
“I get asked about them all the time and now I am just looking forward. The circumstances were a bit different on Monday but I was just happy to be back out on the pitch.
“It’s been a year since my last start so it was good to get the minutes under my belt.
“It’s frustrating having been out for so long. The virus obviously didn’t help as I had to do my recovery myself.”