Mikey Johnston

Celtic winger Mikey Johnston has enjoyed an instant impact on his Ireland debut, assisting as Chiedozie Ogbene scored to give Stephen Kenny's side the lead.

Movement on the Liel Abada front could offer an opening for Johnston and if he can continue to catch the eye with performances, Ange will certainly give him a chance. Until then, the Celtic winger will be hoping to showcase to Ange Postecoglou that he has a future in Glasgow’s East End. Celtic winger Mikey Johnston has enjoyed an instant impact on his Ireland debut, assisting as Chiedozie Ogbene scored to give Stephen Kenny’s side the lead.

The Celtic winger who is out on loan at Portugal this season got subbed on in the second half and made an instant impact when his shot hitting off the post.

Ange has spoken highly of Mikey in the past, but has his chance at Celtic gone, or will the Celtic manager include Mikey in the squad in pre-season and beyond? The Celtic midfielder will return to Glasgow in the summer and will likely have a conversation with Ange The Celtic winger who is out on loan at Portugal this season got subbed on in the second half and made an instant impact when his shot hitting off the post rebounded into the path of Obgene who scored to make it 3-2 on the night.

MIKEY JOHNSTON is determined to make the most of his Irish international football lifeline.And by the looks of his first few touches in the green of h.

[Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/football/) [Announcing his intentions](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/10332183/celtic-mikey-johnston-republic-ireland-derry-roots/), Johnston detailed his pride at the opportunity. [Stephen Kenny](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/who/stephen-kenny/) in the summer. [Steve Clarke](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/who/steve-clarke/). [Celtic ](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/team/14914/celtic/)but appearing against the former world champions in Monday's [Euro 2024](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/topic/euros/) qualifier will seal his international allegiance switch. [Scotland's ](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/team/298595/scotland-football-team/)loss is DEFINITELY Ireland's gain.

Celticnhave many first team stars away on international duty this week. With the majority of the international fixtures taking place over the weekend…

Johnston is due to return to Celtic in the summer and although he did sign a contract extension this season, he may well fond his future at the club may be unddr threat due to the impressive form of Jota, Maeda and Haksabanovic. One thing is for sure, if Johnston returns to Celtic with the kind of vigour and drive that we witnessed here, he may well force his way into Ange’s plans for next season. And it was the Celtic fans first opportunity to see Mikey Johnston play since he left the club in the summer to go on loan to Vitoria Guimarese.

The Hoops attacker - currently out on loan from Ange Postecoglou's side in Portugal - was handed his first senior appearance on the international stage and ...

It dropped nicely in the box for Chiedozie Ogbene to slot home to put Ireland back in front. The home side raced into a two goal lead thanks to strikes from Callum O'Dowda and Evan Ferguson in the opening 20 minutes before the visitors struck back twice to level up the scoring. It proved to be the winning moment as the home side ran out 3-2 winners in a five-goal thriller under the lights. "I'm looking forward to seeing him play at the Aviva Stadium, dribbling in the way that he can and we look forward to helping him fulfil his potential in an Ireland shirt." [FAI website:](https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/johnston-receives-fifa-international-clearance) "Mikey is an exciting player, a great individual talent and we're delighted to see him declare for the Republic of Ireland. [Celtic](https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/all-about/celtic-fc) attacker - currently plying his trade in Portugal on a season-long loan - changed his allegiance to Stephen Kenny's side and was handed his first call-up for the clash with Latvia at the Aviva Stadium.

The ball rebounded into the path of Irish forward Chiedozie Ogbene, who dispatched what turned out to be the winning goal on the night. Johnston was not ...

He said: "If I could steal a couple of his players I’d rather have that if possible! I’m not so sure I would enjoy playing for him at 37! "He said to walk around the stadium and go and take the applause that you are due. And he has revealed how the Hoops boss offered him the chance to walk around the pitch at full-time to thank the fans. With the fixture tied at 2-2, he picked up the ball on the edge of the box and ran at the opposition defence before firing a shot off the post. Johnston was not finished there, though, as he went on a run near the end of the match that almost capped off a dream debut.

The Celtic winger came off the bench in the second half with the game tied at 2-2 and played a key role as the Boys in Green went on to win 3-2.

“Will, having watched a lot of Stoke recently, I’m just so impressed with how he has kicked on. “Evan, it’s his first start and he got a goal. That has given us depth in our squad. Great to see him look so confident on his Ireland debut tonight. He commented: “It’s never straightforward with players. One other tweeted: "Very impressive debut from Mikey Johnston.

Mikey Johnston sparkled on his Republic of Ireland debut after climbing off the bench to set up the winner against Latvia. The Celtic winger - on loan with ...

We got the winner and had other chances." At the same time I was glad to win the game, a lot of good things came from it. "We have to accept some criticism for that. The 23-year-old showcased some magic footwork as he danced past FOUR Latvia defenders to create an opportunity for himself, but his blistering shot was diverted over the bar for a corner. "We're not euphoric or ecstatic because we let in two but it's a good start to the week, we'll take it." "France will be a completely different game that we have to get ready for but it's a good start to the week, to win, score three goals.

The ball rebounded into the path of Irish forward Chiedozie Ogbene, who dispatched what turned out to be the winning goal on the night. Johnston was not ...

He said: "If I could steal a couple of his players I’d rather have that if possible! I’m not so sure I would enjoy playing for him at 37! "He said to walk around the stadium and go and take the applause that you are due. And he has revealed how the Hoops boss offered him the chance to walk around the pitch at full-time to thank the fans. With the fixture tied at 2-2, he picked up the ball on the edge of the box and ran at the opposition defence before firing a shot off the post. Johnston was not finished there, though, as he went on a run near the end of the match that almost capped off a dream debut.

The media in Ireland have been reacting after Celtic winger Mikey Johnston made his international debut on Wednesday night.

[Sports Joe](https://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/ireland-vs-latvia-player-ratings-evan-ferguson-285325) wrote: “Johnston made an immediate impact by running at the Latvia defence and hitting the post, before the ball bounced loose for Ogbene to score. [Johnston switched allegiance to Ireland earlier this month](https://www.67hailhail.com/news/mikey-johnston-ireland-decision-has-been-years-in-the-making-celtic-loanee-could-make-rapid-debut/), and made his first appearance as a substitute in the 3-2 friendly win over Latvia. Johnston’s shot cannoned off the post and rebounded for fellow sub Chiedozie Ogbene to net. [Pundit Arena](https://punditarena.com/football/rudi-kinsella/ireland-vs-latvia-player-ratings-a-win-at-the-aviva/) described Johnston as having “made an impact on the game” while [the Irish Mirror](https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/ireland-player-ratings-battle-past-29528126) also dished out a 7/10. [Buzz.ie](https://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/evan-ferguson-strikes-on-first-international-start-as-ireland-edge-past-latvia-1451713.html) gave Johnston a 7/10 for the cameo, saying: “A dream start for the debut star with a big contribution for Ireland’s winner.” [The Irish Times](https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2023/03/22/ireland-ratings-v-latvia-will-smallbone-makes-claim-for-start-against-france/) also gave Johnston a 7, saying: “His first touch as an Irish player saw the former Scotland underage player strike the post, with Ogbene capitalising on the rebound to knock home Ireland’s third goal. [Johnston](https://www.67hailhail.com/tag/mikey-johnston/) entered the fray as a 63rd minute substitute for Michael Obafemi, and showed his quality in the final half an hour in Dublin.

MIKEY JOHNSTON may have only been introduced in the 64th minute of Ireland's friendly against Latvia...but there's already calls for him to start on M.

He'll be fun to watch." "Off the bench, makes a goal and gets the fans off their seats, certainly one to keep an eye on." And RTE journalist Anthony Pyne tweeted: "The game was dead last night before Mikey Johnston came on and produced a Jimmy Grimble of a cameo. [his first contribution in an Ireland jersey](https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/10394383/mikey-johnston-republic-of-ireland-squad-france/) was his most consequential one, it might not even have been the one that most impressed fans. Within a minute The Boys in Green had regained the lead thanks primarily to him picking up the ball deep, going on a jinking run and then unleashing a rasping shot. [tricky winger](https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/10315045/inside-mikey-johnston-career-celtic-ireland/) injected [some much-needed directness](https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/10429158/ireland-rated-latvia-will-smallbone-evan-ferguson/) and spark to Ireland's attack, and he didn't waste any time in doing it either.

Tonight's game is the first of a double-header, which will then see Kenny's Ireland face World Cup Finalists France.

Until then, the Celtic winger will be hoping to showcase to Ange Postecoglou that he has a future in Glasgow’s East End. Celtic’s Mikey Johnston has been named on the bench for Ireland in their game against Latvia. The 23-year-old was called up by Stephen Kenny after declaring his allegiance to Ireland before FIFA ratified the switch.