ROAD BACK IS TRICKY

Rodgers admits injured ace must clear some obstacles to reclaim role at Hoops

- PAUL O'HEHIR

BRENDAN RODGERS has challenged Ireland star Mikey Johnston to get his career back on track having suffered yet another injury blow.

Stephen Kenny was coming to terms with the crushing news yesterday after Celtic boss Rodgers revealed that Johnston will be sidelined for three months.

It means the Ireland newcomer will miss September's crunch Euro 2024 qualifiers against heavyweights France and the Netherlands.

Johnston only made his Ireland debut in March but has quickly endeared himself to fans and scored in last month's qualifying win over Gibraltar.

That high was a far cry from the tail end of his time at Celtic - where Rodgers (inset) gave him his debut during his first stint in charge - which soured after a spate of injuries.

Celtic fans got on his case before Johnston packed his bags for Portugal and a successful loan spell at Vitória Guimarães last season.