With the depth of this Celtic squad, not everybody was going to get consistent playing time. As a result, quiet a few have been sent out on loan in order to hopefully play some regular football and develop their games, so that they can be ready for first-team football at Parkhead when they return.
Mikey Johnston is one such player. He was the most highly rated talent at the club while coming through the youth ranks and had even made a great start at the senior level, even as a teenager. Things have gone south for him in recent years though, as he has struggled with one injury after another.
That has resulted in him losing his spot in the first-team picture and continuously slide down the winger pecking order.
His chances of getting first-team minutes at Celtic this season were slim at best, and so he was sent out on loan to Portuguese club, Vitoria Guimaraes. There, Johnston is already making his presence felt and has made a brilliant start.
Celtic loanee has made sensational start in Portugal
Johnston was brought on at half-time against Arouca, with Vitoria Guimaraes trailing 1-0 and the Scottish winger provided the assist for the equaliser just twelve minutes later. The game would ultimately end 2-2.
In the previous game against Santa Clara, Johnston had been brought on at half-time as well and even in that game, Vitoria Guimaraes managed to score after his introduction into the line up, even though he might not have scored or assisted on that occasion. They won 1-0.
Thus, while Johnston is yet to make a start for Vitoria Guimaraes, it is clear that he is making positive contributions for them already, having done so in both his appearances till now. And it might not be long before he is a regular starter for the Portuguese club.