Mikey Johnston shares reason for choosing West Brom return over Burnley transfer
Mikey Johnston has revealed the ambition at West Brom is why he chose a return to The Hawthorns over other suitors late on in the transfer window.
Albion secured a coup when they sealed a £3million permanent deal to sign Johnston from Celtic, having overseen a successful loan spell in the second half of last season.
Burnley had matched the Baggies’ offer to Celtic leaving the decision up to the winger, but he was buoyed by the team’s ambition under Carlos Corberan and quickly made up his mind.
“I felt this was the right option, I felt we’ve got a lot of strength and a big chance to get to the Premier League, hopefully we can do that,” Johnston told the Express & Star’s Lewis Cox [5 September].
“I think we’ve got a strong core, leaders in the dressing room, match-winners and I think we’ve got a good chance.
“I’m just so anxious to get going. It’s been a great start but I’m only just in the door, nothing’s given to you so I’ve got to go and get in the team.”
Mikey Johnston adds to flying start at West Brom
It has been a superb month for supporters at The Hawthorns, made even better by their late move to get Johnston back, another player who loves working under Corberan.
The mood has turned on a knife-edge in the past few weeks, with fans frustrated with the club’s lack of spending due to restrictions imposed by the EFL – a matter Shilen Patel himself came out and gave his view on [City AM, 28 August].
Selling and releasing a clutch of the experienced heads from last season’s play-off semi-finalist squad was always a risk, but enabled the Johnston purchase and allowed the club to clear a few surplus players from the wage bill.
Fortunes on the pitch have been excellent, and the Baggies will emerge from the season’s first international break second in the Championship and unbeaten, with a trip down to winless Portsmouth next up.
Sometimes sliding doors moments occur in football and Celtic’s willingness to take a fee for Johnston combined with his vital importance at The Hawthorns made this one a no-brainer.
In other West Brom news, Albion fans disagree in a “club size” debate with Wolves and Birmingham City.
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