Mikey can be Greece lightning on Scots return
SCOT GEMMILL is tipping Mikey Johnston to kick-start his season by helping Scotland Under-21s cement their place at the top of their Euro 2021 qualifying group.
The Under-21s boss named the winger in his squad to face Greece at Tynecastle on November 15 despite the 20-year-old not featuring for Celtic since their Old Firm win at the start of September.
Johnston has missed the last two international double-headers after struggling with hip and groin knocks, while Hoops boss Neil Lennon expressed concern about his injury setbacks last month.
But Gemmill believes he can shine for the Group D leaders after Celtic agreed to let him play.
He said: “We have spoken to the club and they feel Mikey’s available for selection, otherwise we wouldn’t have selected him. Fingers crossed he’ll be available.
“He is now in a position where he can look forward to coming back fresh. The most important thing is for him to be fit and ready and we might be able to help in that regard.
“Mikey has been a strong player at this age level and everyone is excited to see how high he can go in terms of his career moving forward. He’s well on track.”
Johnston’s transformation is not the only one to impress Gemmill, with Billy Gilmour starring for Chelsea this week in their Carabao Cup loss to Manchester United.
Gemmill said: “The mentality of this generation of players is fantastic.
“They have the intelligence and are willing to do the work.”
Squad – Ross Doohan (Ayr), Robby McCrorie (Queen of the South), Kieran Wright (Rangers), Daniel Harvie (Ayr), George Johnston (Feyenoord), Ross McCrorie (Portsmouth), Tom McIntyre (Reading), Ryan Porteous (Hibs), Patrick Reading (Middlesbrough), Allan Campbell (Motherwell), Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen), Billy Gilmour (Chelsea), Jordan Holsgrove (Atletico Baleares), Stephen Kelly (Ayr), Kyle Magennis (St Mirren), Barry Maguire (Motherwell), Lewis Smith (Hamilton), Fraser Hornby (KV Kortrijk), Mikey Johnston (Celtic), Connor McLennan (Aberdeen), Glenn Middleton (Hibs), James Scott (Motherwell).