Mikey Johnston made his first league start for Celtic in two years as they beat Hibs 4-1 in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday night.
The Ireland international, who spent last season on loan at Portuguese side Vitória de Guimarães, played 63 minutes before being replaced by Marco Tilio with Celtic leading 4-0. In all, it was Johnston's fifth appearance of the season.
"Mikey needs to do more, that is the reality," Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers told the BBC about the winger's performance.
"He has big talent. He comes into the game but if you are going to start the game, we need more impact from him but that is something we can hopefully see over the course of time.
"He's not young. He is 24. At some point, you need to grab the bull by the horns and be aggressive. It can be easier coming off the bench, it doesn't feel like pressure. You can come in and show your qualities.
"If any player wants to be a starter here you've got to have that personality to come in and play. But he's been really good in training and earned the start. Hopefully, if he gets more starts he can show more of his qualities."
21 November 2023; Mikey Johnston of Celtic and Republic of Ireland in action against Marko Stamenic, right, and Joe Bell of New Zealand during the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and New Zealand at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
South Korean international Oh Hyeon-gyu, who was brought into the starting team along with Johnston and Tomoki Iwata, scored twice.
"He works ever so hard at his game," said Rodgers.
"So he's ready when he comes in. I was very pleased for him, a good reference point for the team. He shows that he can score in the box but he can also make runs in behind. He's took his goals really, really well.
"Tomo was solid in midfield. We just wanted him to come in there and get that feeling of playing. I would have played him before but he'd been injured. I thought he was steady."
🗣️'Mikey needs to do more. He's not young, he's 24. At some point he has to grab the bull by the horns'
Brendan Rodgers says winger Mikey Johnston needs to show more when starting for Celtic ⤵️#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/NAkvEE1mTn
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) December 6, 2023
