REPUBLIC OF IRELAND MIDFIELDER, MIKEY JOHNSTON, is a major doubt for Ireland's crucial Euro 2024 qualifier double against the Netherlands and France.
New Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers, has confirmed today that the Scottish-born winger, who recently switched to Ireland, could be out for three months.
Johnston's brief introduction to Stephen Kenny's side was a positive one. Johnston played against Latvia, France, Greece, and the 24-year-old even scored a goal against Gibraltar in Ireland's last group game.
However, the news will not be welcomed by Ireland boss Kenny ahead of the games against the Dutch and the French.
Rodgers, who gave the Ireland winger his Celtic debut in his first spell as manager, was asked if Johnston had a future at Celtic.
Rodgers replied, 'His job is to convince myself and the coaches that he is ready for a place.
Brendan Rodgers: "Sadly for Mikey Johnston, he’s going to be out for a few more months. He’s got an injury with his back. He will be out for near on three months."
— John McGinley (@jhnmcgnly) July 13, 2023
He then gave the news that he would be out for some time
"Sadly for Mikey, he is going to be out for a few more months. He had an issue with his back, sadly, so he'll probably be out for nearly three months.'
In June, Johnston spoke about working with the Antrim native and described him as a 'great manager' ahead of his appointment.
When asked about working with his old manager, he said, 'Definitely. He gave me my debut, and every player will love the guy who gave them their debut, won't they?' he told the Scottish Sun in June.
'But he's a great manager, and if he came back to Celtic, he would be exceptional. With a new manager coming in at Celtic, it's a clean slate, so I could be back there. It's the club I've always supported, and I'd like to give it another go. But we just have to wait and see what happens. Whatever I do next year, I want to play every game.'
Celtic begin their new Scottish Premiership campaign at home to Ross County on August 5.
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