Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Mikey Johnston has posted on his Instagram story that he has been handed the Celtic number 19 shirt, amid reported interest from Greek giants Panathinaikos.
Johnston, 20, broke into the Celtic side on a much more regular basis last season, clocking up 23 appearances for the first time and even finding the back of the net on five separate occasions.
His excellent 2018-19 progress has even seen Panathinaikos become interested, former Newcastle star Nikos Dabizas – now Panathinaikos’ sporting director – in attendance at the Scottish Cup final.
However, Johnston may have hinted that he is set to remain at Parkhead this summer and ignore a move to Greece, as he confirmed that he had swapped his number 73 shirt for 19 – suggesting a bigger first-team role.
TBR’s view
For most players of Johnston’s age, going out on loan to a top-tier club would be a no-brainer. Indeed, had Johnston been offered a move of this ilk prior to the 18-19 season, it is likely he would have considered it.
But after playing 23 times for Celtic last season, Johnston would be foolish to go out on loan with Neil Lennon likely to consider the youngster a valued member of the first team.
His number change suggests just that, with 73 his number from his youth days. The number 19 suggests he will be in and around the senior side next season.
