MIKEY JOHNSTON tonight sealed his £3million switch to West Brom to end his seven-year association with his boyhood idols.
The Republic of Ireland winger had the choice of a return to the Hawthorns club – where he scored seven goals in 20 loan appearances last season – Burnley or Sheffield United as he searched for game time.
Johnston opted for the Midlands outfit and immediately after agreeing a four-year contract admitted: “Leaving Celtic was obviously hard. It’s the club I’ve loved since I was a youngster.
“The fact the [West Brom] fans took to me so well last year will make the transition so easy.
“It feels right that I’m here. I’m really happy to be here.
“I was driving down the M6 and I couldn’t stop smiling.
“From day one, I got off to a really good start and the fans took to me and I took to them right away. I felt the love the whole time I was here last year and I’m just buzzing to be back.”
OUCH…Mikey johnston takes a sore one as he challenges Hibs keeper Joe Bursik for a high ball in his solitary appearance for Celtic this season.
Johnston, speaking to the club website, continued: “This move was definitely something I always wanted to happen. I didn’t think it would be possible.
“I thought the only way it would be possible was if we won promotion. Now that I’m back, it feels a bit surreal.
“I’ve kept in contact with everyone and I’ve got a lot of friends here now. That was another big reason why I came back.
“I really loved my time here and I want to emulate that and have a great time again.”
The 25-year-old Glaswegian added: “I would say being at Albion helped reignite my career. In the past, I’ve found myself in and out and I’ve also had a lot of injuries.
“I’ve managed to get over that and come here and play consistent football and enjoy myself.
“It was a no-brainer for me.”
Johnston, who had two years left on his contract, had become a bit-part player and his appearances this season were curtailed to the 15 minutes he had in the 2-0 league win over Hibs at Easter Road when he came on as a substitute for Kyogo Furuhashi.
The wide Bhoy, who was given his first-team debut by first time-around Brendan Rodgers in May 2017, spent the entire 2022/23 campaign at Portuguese top-flight side Vitoria Guimaraes.
