Mikey Johnston did his West Brom homework prior to completing Celtic transfer

Mikey Johnston joined West Brom from Celtic on a permanent transfer on deadline day, after his successful loan.

Mikey Johnston had been watching West Bromwich Albion in action at the beginning of this new Championship season, prior to rejoining the club on a permanent basis on transfer deadline day – and the Irish international cannot now wait to get his boots on. Having secured a long awaited return in the nick of time after leaving Celtic in a deal worth £3m, Johnston is now patiently having to wait for the domestic action to return after this international break.

Albion will head to Portsmouth next weekend and Johnston will be able to reunite with many of his old teammates, who he left a positive impression on – but he knows he’ll have to earn his way back into the side, which has begun in excellent form while they waited for his return. Albion have taken ten points from a possible 12 this term and have hit the ground running under Carlos Corberan.

Johnston, who might’ve joined Burnley or Sheffield United but who knew there was only one club for him once Albion emerged with the cash required to buy him out of his Celtic contract, has kept an eye from afar on the Baggies and has liked what he has seen – but he knows he’ll have a task on his hands to cement a spot again, especially with Karlan Grant’s form in mind.

“I watched the QPR and Leeds games, I watch a lot of football and wanted to see how we were getting on to start the season,” he said. “I’ve kept in contact with everyone and kept watching. I felt this was the right option, I felt we’ve got a lot of strength and a big chance to get to the Premier League, hopefully we can do that.

“I think we’ve got a strong core, leaders in the dressing room, match-winners and I think we’ve got a good chance. Because of the time between me coming in and my first game, I’m just so anxious to get going. It’s been a great start but I’m only just in the door, nothing’s given to you so I’ve got to go and get in the team.

“The aim was to try to get us to the Premier League, we fell a bit short but I feel like we’ve got a right good chance of going at it this year.”

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