West Bromwich Albion is reportedly expressing interest in Celtic’s Mikey Johnston, hoping to enhance the squad’s creativity under the management of Carlos Corberan before the transfer deadline. Despite recently acquiring versatile attacker Andi Weimann, the club is actively seeking another winger. Financial constraints at The Hawthorns have limited their options, pushing the recruitment team towards exploring loan deals. While Celtic’s Liel Abada has been on Albion’s radar, the Daily Mail suggests that Johnston, Abada’s teammate, is also under consideration.

The 24-year-old Johnston has struggled to secure a regular spot under manager Brendan Rodgers this season. Despite early promise, he has faced criticism for not capitalizing on the opportunities presented to him. With Abada back in full fitness and the recent signing of Nicolas Kuhn from Rapid Vienna, Johnston’s chances of making it into the starting XI seem limited. A loan move appears to be a more realistic option for the Glasgow-born winger.

Johnston, capable of playing on either flank, has displayed sporadic moments of quality during his time at Celtic. Despite a loan spell at Vitoria Guimaraes last season, he has made eight league appearances this season for Rodgers, scoring twice. Since his debut in 2017, Johnston has featured in 90 games for the Scottish champions. The expectations at Celtic can be daunting for young players, especially local talents like Johnston, impacting their development. While he possesses qualities like pace, the ability to beat players, and impressive close control and skill, consistency has eluded him.

West Brom, facing financial constraints, cannot afford a proven Championship winger. Opting for Johnston represents a gamble that could potentially pay off for the club. The winger’s talent, coupled with Corberan’s coaching, might help refine Johnston’s game and provide him with a consistent run in the team. The move aligns with West Brom’s pursuit of promotion, where injuries, particularly the absence of Matt Phillips, have left them lacking in wide options.

The Championship table as of January 23rd positions West Brom in 5th place, with 45 points from 28 matches. Aiming for promotion, the club sees the potential in Johnston to address their deficiencies on the wings. The move appears to make sense for all parties involved, and the outcome will be intriguing to observe as the transfer deadline approaches next week. West Brom’s willingness to take a chance on Johnston, considering their financial constraints, underlines the strategic and calculated approach they are adopting in the pursuit of their promotion ambitions.