In the end, it proved to be something of quiet January transfer window as far as West Brom were concerned.
With financial uncertainty still hanging over the club as the wait to find a buyer goes on, only three signings were actually made by the Baggies.
All of those were on loan, one of which, was Mikey Johnston. The 24-year-old joined West Brom on the final day of the transfer window, signing on loan from Celtic until the end of the season.
Having made that move, Johnston made his debut for the Baggies on Saturday afternoon, coming on as a 62nd minute substitute in the 1-0 win over Birmingham City.
Now it seems as though West Brom boss Carlos Corberan already has big plans for just how he is going to use the Celtic loanee, during his time at The Hawthorns.
Carlos Corberan ‘very pleased’ to have Mikey Johnston’s versatility
Although he was signed primarily as a winger, the 24-year-old is someone who is also capable of playing in other areas of the park.
That is something that Corberan is apparently keen to utilise, by potentially employing the Celtic loanee in a variety of roles.
Johnston has also had little time to train with the club prior to making his debut. As a result, the West Brom boss also expects more to come from him, once he has those extra sessions under his belt.
Speaking to Shropshire Star about Johnston following his debut for the Baggies, Corberan said:
“I am very pleased to have Johnston here, because he is not only a winger, he is a mix of a winger and playmaker who can adapt and play to the left, the right, the pockets, on the sides.
“And the more he can train, because he has only had one day in training (prior to making his debut), the more options he will have to help the team.”
Johnston could become key Baggies man
This does feel it could make Johnston a very important player for Corberan while he is at The Hawthorns.
West Brom do not have the biggest squad, meaning they are lacking in depth at the minute. That is something that has also been further amplified by injuries.
Meanwhile, the January window was no doubt quieter than they would have wanted it to be in terms of incomings, so the depth issue may not have been solved fully.
As a result, bringing in a player with the versatility of Johnston, looks like it could be a crucial move for the Baggies.
The Celtic loanee’s ability to play in a range of positions, ensures that he can step in to help fill more than one void that may be left in the squad by himself. He can therefore provide plenty of cover on his own in the process.
Add in the fact that he still needs to get fully up to speed once he is able to get more training with the squad under his belt, and Johnston may well prove an exciting and pivotal signing for West Brom.