How Premier League defenders have already been sent warning over Nottingham Forest star

There is a certain picture from last season which highlights just a little of Brennan Johnson's star quality - and the Nottingham Forest ace isn't even in it.

Photographers captured the moment as the Reds players gathered in the centre circle of the City Ground pitch reacted to the crucial penalty save. The one which meant they were going to Wembley.

But one man was missing from the resulting shots. Djed Spence, Ryan Yates, Keinan Davis, Steve Cook, Cafu, Joe Lolley, Joe Worrall, Scott McKenna and Jack Colback were all pictured in various stages of relief, euphoria and exhilaration. Some were mid-step, arms outstretched as they set off to pounce on hero goalkeeper Brice Samba. Others were caught stock-still, taking it all in.

Johnson, who had emphatically thumped home his team’s first spot-kick against Sheffield United, is not in the frame, however. He’s nowhere to be seen. He was off and running by that point. So quick, he was already leaping into the arms of Samba, was the quip which did the rounds on social media.

Premier League defenders may have just as much trouble catching him. They have been warned.

It is doing the Wales international a great disservice just to focus on his speed, though. He offers far, far more than that.

He was a standout talent as he lit up the Championship in his breakthrough season at that level. Now, the aim is to do the same at the next step up.

You'd bank on him doing just that. Forest have a very special player on their books; one who has the potential to get even better.

“It’s a dream come true,” said the young attacker at the club’s celebration event, after promotion had been achieved. Amid chants of “Brennan Johnson, baby”, “he’s one of our own” and “sign him up, sign him up, sign him