Training Day Delight

Mikey Johnston helped get everything ready for Brendan Rodgers’ squad at Lennoxtown, and was thrilled to then find himself part of the session with the first-team players.

MIKEY Johnston’s Friday at Lennoxtown started like any other one – in early to ensure everything was in place for the first-team to start training.

This is a requirement for all the youth players at Celtic, and the 17-year-old’s main responsibility is making sure there are a sufficient number of balls, they are all at the correct pressure and they are all bagged and ready to be collected by the coaches.

But once he had completed his normal chores, he was informed that he would also be getting put through his paces with Brendan Rodgers’ squad.

It wasn’t the first time the talented teenager has trained under the Irishman, who is always keeping a watchful eye on the development of the club’s young players, but that doesn’t mean his excitement was diminished as he moved a little closer to achieving his Celtic dream.

“It started out as normal day, doing all the first-team jobs as I’m still a youth player and I need to do all that,” he told the View in an exclusive interview. “My job is getting the balls ready, but I have to do other jobs, such as getting the water out, just to make sure it’s all set-up for first-team training.

“I have trained a few times with the first-team, and it’s obviously exciting. You just want to catch the manager’s eye and make an impression. It’s really important to do that as your dream from a young age is to make your debut and get first-team action, it’s what you want to do.

“I have probably trained over 10 times for the first team. With the new manager coming in, there are always chances for young players like me to come up. He’s really good with me, taking me over and having a few words and helping me improve and telling me what I can add to my game.”