It was after midnight before Celtic announced Mikey Johnston’s loan deal to Portugal, but not before they confirmed a one-year contract extension for the Celtic academy player.
Mikey had been mulling over more than a few loan offers for most of August and took it write up to the wire before opting for a move to Vitoria Guimaraes.
Ange Postecoglou wasn’t shy about telling Mikey and the support that the player had to go out and get first team football in order to progress and save his Celtic career.
Mikey has always seemed on the cusp of really breaking through into the first team squad when an injury has hit. Since becoming a more senior player, the winger hasn’t had much luck when it comes to staying fit.
The loan deal will give Celtic and Ange all the information they need about Mikey and if he’s able to sustain a long run of games.
The one-year loan extension is clearly Celtic hedging. They don’t want to let go of Mikey just yet, but they don’t want to invest too much in him until they see how he gets on in Portugal.
We will keep you up to date with Mikey’s progress throughout the season.
