Rodgers: Hoop swinger won’ t be used as McGinn ‘sweetener’

Hoops boss describes 19-year-old as an exciting talent

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers described Mikey Johnston as a “special talent” and insisted the winger is part of his plans.

It was reported that the 19-year-old could possibly be used as a sweetener in a deal to bring Hibernian midfielder John McGinn to Parkhead, with St Mirren manager Alan Stubbs also reportedly keen to take him on loan.

Ahead of tonight’s Champions League first qualifying round second leg against Alashkert at Parkhead, Rodgers said of Johnston: “He is very much staying here.

“He is an exciting young talent at 19 years of age. He is learning the other side of the game in terms of the tactical idea of pressing and how to work and how to recover but there is no doubt he is a special talent.

“We need to develop him, get him some games and if that changes there is a number of options, with teams that would like to take him, but at this moment he stays.”

Rodgers was less expansive about the possibility of McGinn moving to Celtic. Hibs have rejected two bids, reported to be £1.5 million and £2m.

The Northern Irishman said: “It is something that is pretty much between the clubs and of course there is speculation around Mikey and John and other players but it’s nothing to comment on.”

The former Liverpool boss also stressed the importance of Belgium international Dedryck Boyata to his plans.

Rodgers said: “He is very important. I always said that once he got into the team, Dedryck has done very well.

“He is an experienced player and his experience at the World Cup is only going to help him.

“He has a year left (on his contract). He is a player that we would love to keep, he knows that, but he is now on holiday and we will pick that up again when he comes back.”

Celtic’s home game against the Armenian champions is expected to be a formality, given the Hoops hold a 3-0 lead, but Rodgers said: “It is only half-time in the contest.

“We produced a really solid, professional performance away from home and we aim to continue with our good momentum that we have built up over this early part of pre-season.

Tom Rogic and Cristian Gamboa have returned after World Cup duty but won’t feature against the Armenian side.

Boyata and Mikael Lustig have yet to return following their efforts at Russia 2018, while Leigh Griffiths, Jonny Hayes and Lewis Morgan are out with various knocks.

Picture: SNS. James Forrest and Tom Rogic take a break during Celtic training at Lennoxtown.