West Brom: Mikey Johnston shares Brendan Rodgers admission over Celtic loan exit
Mikey Johnston does not believe he would be a West Brom player if Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers had his choice.
The 24-year-old has made a big impact since joining Albion on loan from the Scottish heavyweights in the January transfer window.
Johnston struggled for minutes at Celtic Park in the first half of the campaign, meaning a temporary switch to West Brom made sense.
However, speaking about the mid-season loan switch via Football Scotland [27 February], Johnston said: “I think [Rodgers] probably would have kept me if it was up to him.
“But I think we had nine wingers at the end so I think it would have been harsh had they made me stay. He was great with me to be honest with you and I think he wants the best for me so obviously coming here was that.
“I would have loved to be starting every week at Celtic but this is another massive club I have come to so it does not feel like a step down. I am obviously playing in a good league as well and it is important for my career.
“I am here now and I just want to make an impact and cross that bridge when I come to it. I want to make an impact and help the team get to the play-offs.”
Celtic fans ruing Mikey Johnston loan move to West Brom
Given West Brom’s financial situation in January, with a takeover still in limbo at that point, the business conducted by the club was hugely impressive.
Andi Weimann and Johnston have taken no time at all to settle in and have undoubtedly enhanced Carlos Corberan’s attacking options, even if Jeremy Sarmiento left.
Johnston has already scored two goals in six outings, leading to many Celtic fans questioning why he was allowed out in the first place.
It is likely that the Republic of Ireland international will return to Celtic Park at the end of the campaign a better player than the one that left.
If Johnston continues the way he is and helps fire Albion into the Premier League, then it is a win-win-win scenario.
And should the Baggies be a Premier League team, they could do a lot worse than reaching out to Celtic over a possible permanent deal.
In other West Brom news, Jurgen Klopp namechecked Albion in his latest Liverpool press conference.
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