West Brom: Robert Snodgrass shares Celtic transfer admission in new Mikey Johnston verdict
Celtic loanee Mikey Johnston’s time at Parkhead was up when he made the switch to West Brom in the January transfer window, according to Robert Snodgrass.
The 24-year-old winger has been in excellent form since joining Carlos Corberan’s side and started the Baggies’ 1-1 draw with Hull City at the MKM Stadium on Saturday (24 February).
Johnston’s impressive displays have seen some pundits and fans suggest the Hoops made a mistake in loaning him out, but Snodgrass believes it had become clear the Northern Irishman was always going to be “replaced.”
Speaking on Sky Sports Main Event on Saturday (24 February, 12:16) he said: “I’ll be honest with you, I think him just stepping away from Celtic was the best thing for Mikey Johnston.
“He wasn’t getting a lot of game time, he wasn’t getting the chance to express his talent. He’s played five games and he’s got two goals in his last three. No matter what he did at Celtic, I always felt as though he was going to be replaced.
“They had some great wingers there as you saw last season and they signed the boy Kuhn and I think that was his time really to try and move and I think he knew that.
“Going to West Brom with a manager that wants him to express himself, I think you saw with his goal midweek, the way he cuts inside and bends it into the far corner. That’s Mikey Johnston, I wasn’t getting to see that at Celtic so he’s definitely done the right thing.”
It’s safe to say that everybody around West Brom has been blown away by just how well Johnston has taken to the English game with the Baggies this season. Few supporters could have expected him to start this well.
There will surely be some regrets at Parkhead that they didn’t keep the 24-year-old around until the end of the season at least, especially as Brendan Rodgers’ side continues to struggle in their pursuit of Rangers.
But, Snodgrass’ admission that Johnston’s time in Glasgow may already be up could boost the Baggies’ hopes of securing the winger on a permanent basis come the end of the season.
Hopefully, the Northern Irish international can continue to impress between now and the end of his loan spell and then Corberan and his recruitment team can make a long-term decision over his future.
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