West Brom fear amid major conundrum as permanent Mikey Johnston transfer from Celtic mooted
The “big conundrum” for West Brom as they consider whether they sign Mikey Johnston permanently is whether he can maintain his loan form long-term, according to Adrian Goldberg.
Speaking on The Liquidator on 3 March the journalist suggested that in the wake of Grady Diangana proving a “disappointment” since his loan from West Ham became permanent the Celtic winger could also regress after a sparkling start in the Midlands.
Johnston has scored three league goals in seven appearances, with the last two both wonderful solo strikes off the left win to help boost the play-off push under Carlos Corberan.
Goldberg said (15m): “The fear that you have in mind when you have a player like Mikey Johnston, who’s showing this brilliant streak of form at the moment. Is the player benefiting from the fact that they are still a bit of a novelty, that they haven’t been sussed out by opposition defenders, that they’ve got a point to prove?
“If we sign Mikey Johnston would he be able to deliver week in, week out, season in, season out? That’s the big conundrum.”
Chris Lepkowski suggested the 24-year-old might now be reaching his potential at The Hawthorns having benefited from leaving the “enormous” pressure of the Old Firm in Glasgow, admitting he’d been “pleasantly surprised” by the “excellent” attacker while suggesting a look at buying him is likely on the cards in the summer.
He said (15m 40s): “The great thing is that we can use the rest of this season to see how he gets on, how it not only fits into the team but how he develops, how he settles into the area, is he happy being in England and part of our club?”
Grady Diangana warning as West Brom eye Mikey Johnston signing
In terms of first impressions Johnston has made an extremely strong one at The Hawthorns, and if he keeps up similar form for the rest of the season he will have certainly played his way into consideration for a permanent deal.
Whether Celtic will be willing to let him go if he performs that well is another matter, especially as they have now agreed a deal to sell another Baggies target in Liel Abada.
Since the Shilen Patel era has finally arrived Corberan will now have an eye on building his squad with more than just bargain deals, although Johnston and Andi Weimann have proven to be very strong ones, even as the need to reduce the wage bill will see players depart.
Diangana scored eight league goals on loan from West Ham but has managed just 13 in total across the four seasons since his £18million permanent move [Sky Sports], although six have come this term, the most recent of which doubled the lead against Coventry after Johnston’s stunning opener.
Depending on what there is to spend it may be that a striker is the priority since the position has been blighted by injury at West Brom this term, with all of Josh Maja, Daryl Dike and now Brandon Thomas-Asante out.
Jed Wallace’s quality and the emergence of Tom Fellows has arguably made wide men of secondary importance if tough choices have to be made, but Irish international Johnston is making a case as a vital part of the side currently.
In other West Brom news, the new owner reacted after American sports media figure declares he now supports the club after takeover.
For more West Brom news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.