There are a lot of expectations riding on Celtic this season, as the Hoops have the Scottish Premiership crown to defend against the Rangers, as well as Champions League group stage football to deal with after several years. It is in direct contrast to how things had looked just a year ago, with little to no expectations around the club, when Ange Postecoglou arrived as manager, following a failed chase for Eddie Howe.
Since then, Postecoglou has proven himself and then some, already becoming a cult hero amongst the Celtic fans.
The team has undergone a lot of changes as well and looks pretty much unrecognisable to the side that finished 25 points behind the Rangers and trophyless in the 2020/21 campaign. While there have been plenty of incomings, a number of players have headed in the opposite direction as well. And now, another one could be joining that list, on a temporary basis at least.
As reported by The Scottish Sun, Mikey Johnston is set to leave Celtic on loan. Postecoglou is expected to sanction his exit. Standard de Liege have been linked with him recently but the winger has options across Britain as well.
Postecoglou looks set to let Celtic player leave on loan
Johnston was the most highly-rated player at Celtic while coming through the youth ranks and many even believed that he was good enough to develop into a 20-goal-a-season winger.
It is safe to say that that has not happened, as a series of injuries over the past several years, have had a negative impact on his development and left him on the fringes of the first-team picture.
According to stats from Transfermarkt, Johnston made 20 appearances last season and played 661 minutes of football, scoring no goals and providing just an assist.
Thus, he is not expected to be a regular feature for the Celtic first-team next season and a loan move away from the club makes a lot of sense. The most important thing for him right now is to remain fit and rediscover his confidence.