Campaign Supernova

Mikey Johnston’s emphatic double against Hearts ensured a party at Paradise on Trophy Day.

- Joe Donnelly

ON a day when Neil Lennon made seven changes to the previous week’s line-up, Academy graduates Mikey Johnston, Ewan Henderson and Anthony Ralston all entered the Hoops’ starting XI against Hearts last Sunday.

Armstrong Oko-Flex, Daniel Church, Stephen Welsh and Karamoko Dembele also all had places on the bench, with the latter featuring as a lively second-half substitute. All of which is to say, the weekend’s 2-1 win was a glowing endorsement of the Celtic Youth set-up.

Better still, Johnston netted both goals to ensure Trophy Day at Paradise was celebrated with a win. Better again, it was some lovely combination play between the scorer and Henderson that led to Celtic’s fastest goal of the 2018/19 campaign, just one minute and 22 seconds after kick-off.

“It’s been an unbelievable season, it really has,” Johnston told the Celtic View after the game. “Especially on Trophy Day, to get two goals – two goals that won us the game – that’s the dream.

“Myself and Hendo are almost telepathic on the pitch at times. We’ve played together for such a long time over the years, so it’s great to be able to do that in the first team – especially in the moments in which it pays off with a goal.

“When he gets the ball, I just know where to run, and I think you saw that for the opener. He’s a total magician, he always knows where to play the ball and it’s always great to play with him.

“As for Karamoko, he’s such an exceptional talent. He was brilliant when he came on, he has confidence in abundance and that shows when he plays.