Is Celtic’s Dazzling Loanee Really Going To Come Back To The Club As The Real Deal?

There have been a lot of stories in the media about our loanees, and how some of them definitely aren’t wanted back at the club. Ajeti, Barkas and others will not be able to return here and stake their claim; they are done. Their time here is up.

But as with everything else, there are players out on loan who still have a chance.

A couple of them are playing in the SPFL; the likes of Adam Montgomery and Liam Scales.

These guys might return and they might not.

They might be allowed to move or, or perhaps to explore other loan options. There is time for them both, they are young footballers although Scales, at 24, is at the upper end of where you want a player to be when still developing.

So too is Mikey Johnston, but there’s a difference there. He’s already been, in some ways, an “established” Celtic player. His going on loan was not for the same reason as some of these other players; he wasn’t sent out to develop his talents but to give them more ready expression, on a more regular basis. He was not helped sitting on the Celtic bench.

All the reports back on him are positive. His club would like to make his deal permanent but they realise they can’t afford him.

He signed a new contract with us on the way out the door. I love that.

It’s a huge vote of confidence in his talents … but next season is a critical one. I think we need him from the point of view of our European squad … but there are other players in the B team we could put on that registration if it’s just about numbers.

But Mikey is more than just a number. He’s a real footballer, someone who, if he finds consistency, can make a contribution to this squad. That means his return is different.

If he comes back, he should be looking to stay and build something.

If he ends up back on loan again he might as well never return.

He’s at that age. It’s now or never.