Peter Martin says a second SPFL club tried to sign Mikey Johnston from Celtic

Mikey Johnston is certainly a player who knows how to make a name for himself this season. It’s just a pity it’s not at Celtic.

The Republic of Ireland international is currently enjoying a loan spell in the English Championship with West Bromwich Albion where his his seven goals have propelled his loan club into the English Premier League play-off places.

And whilst Johnston enjoys the accolade of the English press, it seems that had one other SPFL club got their way, he would have possibly still been playing in Scotland this season.

Hibernian tried to sign Mikey Johnston

Peter Marting was discussing Johnston and his possible return to Celtic after his loan spell when he disclosed that Hibs had tried to sign him before West Brom did.

Martin said [PLZ Soccer], “They tried to get Mikey Johnston, Hibs. It’s realistic if it’s a loan deal.

“If it’s a six-month loan deal and he’s [Nick Montgomery] not going to buy Mikey Johnston at the time when he was available.

And after hearing Lee McCulloch share why Johnston knocked back Hearts, Martin continued, “Maybe that’s why Hibs couldn’t get him over the line either.

“So now he’s out of everybody’s reach in Scotland. So he’s not going to be playing for anybody else in Scotland.”

So both capital clubs had designs on Johnston but clearly, the thought of staying in Scotland and not representing the champions was too much of a heart-wrench for the academy graduate.

Johnston has all the ability in the world but it’s obvious that the pressure of producing for Celtic week in, week out and his injury problems to boot, have meant that it’s just now worked out for him.

Whatever happens to the winger at the end of his loan deal, it does look like Johnston’s future does lie away from Paradise.

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