West Brom will be aiming for a strong end to the season that could earn them promotion back to the Premier League.
Carlos Corberan‘s side currently sit 5th in the Championship table, five points clear of 7th place Hull City in the race for a top six spot.
If the Baggies are to secure a return to the Premier League for next season, then one player who will likely play a key role for them, is Mikey Johnston.
The winger has been a revelation for West Brom, since joining on loan from Celtic in the January transfer window.
Now, it seems as though the Baggies may have been given some hope over an extended deal for Johnston come the summer.
Pundit makes claim on Mikey Johnston’s Celtic future
Since making the move to The Hawthorns, the 24-year-old has been in remarkable form for the club.
In just nine appearances for the club, he has scored six goals – many spectacular – and provided one assist.
But despite that, Andy Walker believes there will not be a desire around Celtic for Johnston to return once his loan spell with West Brom comes to an end.
Speaking about the Scottish champions’ current options on The Go Radio Football Show Podcast, the former Celtic striker said:
“You see what Mikey Johnston is doing at West Brom. He has gone to a great club, he is doing really well, he is scoring goals, he is creating chances.
“But I don’t think you would find many Celtic supporters who would want to have him back.”
There are around two years remaining on Johnston’s contract with Celtic. As a result, the Glasgow club will be in a strong position to respond to any offer West Brom might make for the winger this summer.
West Brom given Mikey Johnston hope
Even with his contract situation at Celtic, there it is likely these sort of comments will give the Baggies some optimism when it comes to a potential summer move for the winger.
Johnston had many chances in Glasgow, prior to his loan move to West Brom. However, he was never fully able to take that opportunity.
As a result, Walker’s comments here may be a reflection of a wider sentiment around Celtic, than just the supporters.
Should that be the case, it is likely that they will be willing to sanction another, potentially permanent move for the 24-year-old in the summer.
That way, they could now receive a decent fee for him, based on the form he has produced while at West Brom.
Consequently, this could represent an opportunity for the Baggies to secure a longer-term deal for Johnston. Indeed, some connected to the club already appear to be expecting them to take such action.
There will though, be interest from elsewhere, considering how much attention he will have attracted.
With that in mind, West Brom will surely have to act fast on these sort of comments, to secure a very smart piece of business with another deal for Johnston.