AFTER an extended period out of action through injury, Mikey Johnston is now nearing his much-anticipated return. It’s been a long road back for the Hoops winger, but he’s taken positives from the experience and is desperate to pull on the green and white jersey again and make a contribution.
It’s been almost 10 months since Johnston played his last game for Celtic. That was as a second-half substitute against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on January 29. He replaced Leigh Griffiths with just over 20 minutes remaining but picked up a knee injury shortly after his introduction.
At that point in the campaign, Johnston had scored six goals in 20 appearances across all competitions, along with a further six assists and was hopeful of further contributions.
However, it wasn’t just Johnston who saw his season end early. The coronavirus pandemic brought the campaign to an early conclusion which meant he didn’t miss out on as much football as he might have.
Still, the road back has been longer than he first anticipated and he wasn’t able to join the squad for pre-season back in July. Thankfully, Johnston is now at that stage in his own recovery and is focusing on reaching a fitness level that will allow him to begin playing again.
“It’s been tough,” admitted Johnston, speaking exclusively to the Celtic View. “The coaches are wanting to get me fit so I’ve been running a lot and working closely with the sports scientists. I’m just trying to build myself up to a level where I can be involved again.
“The intensity of it is tough, but it’s what you have to do. Most of football is running nowadays so I’ve got to get myself into a place where I’m robust and not picking up wee injuries.
“The boys get a lot of this work during pre-season so this is essentially my own pre-season. It’s important to get myself right and ready for a season of football because I don’t want to come back and be out again.”
Unlike the squad’s pre-season training, Johnston’s work has been a solitary camp and one without the benefit of playing friendlies to build up match fitness.
“It’s hard doing it alone,” said the 21-year-old. “You’re gubbed after the running session and then you need to go and do more, but that’s what builds mental toughness and character. I know I’ll get through it and I’ll be better for it at the end.
“Usually I’d play some games with the reserves at this point but there aren’t any games for them right now. We’re in our bubble and they’re in there bubble so we’re not wanting to change that with everything’s that’s going on. Hopefully, over the next couple of weeks, I can get some minutes and build on them week-to-week.
Continue reading your story on the app
Continue reading your story in the magazine
IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED...
Jodie Bartle was delighted to score her first goal for Celtic, a week after her derby strike was controversially disallowed
TOMMY BHOY
Celtic legend was a supporter first, last and always
WOUNDED PRIDE
Christopher Jullien was a frustrated spectator as he recovered from injury, but now that he’s back, he’s determined to play his part along with his team-mates to get back to winning ways
ON THIS DAY
HISTORY OF PLAYERS
KEEP THE FAITH
Manager knows hard work can and will deliver an upturn in fortunes for his Celtic side
THE LAST WORD
NEXT week the Christmas edition of the Celtic View will be out, which means this will be the last column I write in 2020.
FOUNDATION CHRISTMAS APPEAL SPOTLIGHT: THE INVISIBLES
WE continue our spotlight series on the organisations we hope to support through this year’s Celtic FC Foundation Christmas Appeal, with a closer look at the work of The Invisibles, a Glasgow-based voluntary organisation, which aims to provide comfort to those living on the city’s streets.
LIVING THE DREAM
Danny Crainie was proud to wear the Hoops and he continues to back the team as a supporter
EVERYONE IS HURTING AT THE RUN WE'RE ON
IT was a disconsolate home dressing room at Celtic on Sunday, as the team reflected on their first domestic cup defeat in over four years.
9 from NINE
The View wants YOUR views on the Hoops’ remarkable decade of dominance
HOLIDAY CHEER
DONRUSS OPTIC FOOTBALL SCHEDULED FOR WEEK OF CHRISTMAS
‘Playing more aggressive, attacking'
For more on what’s happening with Buffalo’s defense, here are some highlights from defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier’s recent press conferences.
Boys To Men
Twenty years after their Super Bowl win, the 2000 Ravens are still talking about what it all means.
TRAIN LIKE AN ATHLETE
Applying Sports Psychology and Biomechanics to Firearms Training
THE SECOND CAREER OF MARTELLUS BENNETT
The former NFL tight end writes the kind of children’s books he would have loved as a kid.
TOP 10 Team executives
Achieving the highest level of success at every stop of his football lifetime, John Lynch climbed the ladder from collegiate star to nine-time NFL ProBowler to respected television analyst before he joined the 49ers as a first-time general manager in 2017. Since then, he’s become one of the men most responsible for building the franchise back into a champion with his shrewd moves and organizational acumen. Named the NFL’s 2019 Executive of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America, Lynch has quickly earned his place on this list of the greatest team executives in 49ers history.
Beating Steelers surprised even Rivera
NO PRESSURE, NO DIAMOND
‘This O-line is competitive, resilient'
Here are some highlights from head coach Sean McDermott’s recent press conferences.
Somebody's gotta win it
Through 75% of the 2020 NFL season, the Washington Football Team and your New York Football Giants are tied for first place in the NFC East with identical records of 4-7.
Long time coming
I was bestowed the honor of becoming the editor of this publication, the Giants have played some of the worst football in their entire history.