West Brom have been linked with a late January swoop for Celtic and Ireland winger Mikey Johnston.
The January transfer window slams shut at 11pm on Thursday evening.
And West Brom like many others in the Championship look set to pursue some late transfer deals, with the loan market looking like the obvious market for the Baggies.
The club remains cash-strapped but there’s a couple of names on Carlos Corberan‘s radar ahead of tomorrow; two wingers in AC Milan’s Chaka Traore and Johnston.
And speaking exclusively to The Baggies News, 67 Hail Hail reporter John McGinley gave us the lowdown on the 24-year-old Johnston…
What is Mikey Johnston’s current situation at Celtic
“He’s a homegrown player who hasn’t quite managed to cement himself as a go to option for any of his Celtic managers.
“All of the coaches he has worked under have talked up his natural ability but injury issues over the years stunted his development.
“Thankfully those fitness issues have been put behind him, but at the moment he is very much a back-up or substitute option rather than a Celtic starter.
“It’s one of those cases where he might just need a change of scenery and a new opportunity to push on.”
What type of player is Mikey Johnston
“He’s a ball-carrying, dribbling winger who will look to use his skill, beat a man and make an impact in those final 25 yards of the pitch. He’s most effective on the left flank.
“His close control can be excellent and he can create space for himself but Johnston’s big problem has always been a lack of consistent end product.
“If he can find good attacking partnerships with new teammates then theoretically he could be a potent attacking weapon.
“The defensive and tactical side of his game has also been called into question, so if he is being asked to fit into a rigid system and be accountable in supporting teammates off the ball, then there may be issues.”
Can he cut it in the Championship with West Brom
“It would really come down to how he settles in a new environment and whether or not he complements existing players well.
“Undoubtedly he has the skill and ability to be a threat in the Championship. He wouldn’t be out of his depth in that regard.
“He trained and played at a good level in the Portuguese top-flight last season and is part of a competitive, intensely trained squad at Celtic.”
Will he be sold in the summer
“Johnston is at a crossroads in his Celtic career. He’s good enough to play a squad role but not quite hitting the heights to get the regular week-to-week football he craves.
“Now 24, he has talked about being at the stage of wanting to play more regularly. That’s unlikely to come at Celtic without a number of injuries elsewhere in the squad.
“So, yes, there is a decent chance he leaves Celtic over the next couple of transfer windows.”