Ireland international Mikey Johnston has been rejuvenated by his recent loan move to West Bromwich Albion, with the 24-year-old endearing himself instantly to the club's fanbase.
Johnston had struggled to get any kind of meaningful game time in the first half of the season with Celtic. In fact, the Irish winger only managed four starts in all competitions before Christmas, leaving him eager to take some time away from Celtic Park to get regular minutes.
The early signs are that Johnston's move was for the best. He has scored two goals in his first five appearances for the Baggies, including the second in their 3-0 win over Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday night.
Speaking in the aftermath of that game, West Brom manager Carlos Corderan explained why he believed Johnston had taken so quickly to the Championship after his struggles in Glasgow.
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Ireland MNT: West Brom manager thrilled to see Mikey Johnston thriving
Corderan explained that the change in pace of the Championship had likely helped Johnston to immediately fit in and excel, while he also suggested that the pressure of European competition may have had an impact on the Irishman's performances early in the season:
It's not the same for Mikey to play at Celtic and West Bromwich Albion. When you identify Celtic, when they are playing at home in a league game, they are very dominant and attack. When you put Celtic in a European competition, there's another scenario.
What is important is that Johnston had a loan in Portugal previously. He was in a team which was different to Celtic, so it's new to him to be in a different environment to Celtic, it's not the first time he's had a different style. That allows us to trust more in his adaptation.
It is fantastic to see Johnston not only playing well but doing so for a team mixing it up at the business end of the Championship table.
West Brom currently sit in the play-off places, as they seek to return to the Premier League after a three-year absence.
Though Johnston has only started two of the Baggies' five games since his arrival, he has clearly made an impact in the minutes he has received. Given the praise he has received from coach Corderan, more regular starts have to be on the cards in the run-in.
19 June 2023; Mikey Johnston of Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship qualifying group B match between Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Johnston's improved form and minutes are brilliant news for the incumbent Ireland manager - whoever they may be. Though the Glasgow-born attacker was one of the more impressive performers of 2023 in an Ireland jersey, he did so while struggling to feature regularly at club level.
A fit and firing Mikey Johnston can only be good news for Ireland.
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