Mikey Johnston claims Celtic exit WOULDN'T have happened if it was up to Brendan Rodgers

Mikey Johnston believes Brendan Rodgers didn't want to move him on in January - and would have kept him if it was up to him.

But he's thanked the Celtic boss for being empathetic to his situation and letting him join West Brom, where he is currently thriving on loan. Johnston was challenged to step up to the plate by Rodgers earlier this season but struggled to force his way into the starting lineup with a number of players, like Daizen Maeda, Luis Palma and Yang, all ahead of him in the pecking order.

In the end the January arrival of Nicolas Kuhn spelled the end for the Ireland winger, for this season at least, and he headed south to try his hand in the English Championship - where he's made that count with two goals already. And he is happy to be playing regularly after a difficult first half of the season.

Johnston reckons Rodgers would have kept him around if he'd had his way - but thanked the manager for seeing his need to play regular football. He said: “I think (Rodgers) probably would have kept me if it was up to him. But I think we had nine wingers at the end so I think it would have been harsh had they made me stay. He was great with me to be honest with you and I think he wants the best for me so obviously coming here was that.

“I would have loved to be starting every week at Celtic but this is another massive club I have come to so it does not feel like a step down. I am obviously playing in a good league as well and it is important for my career.

“I am here now and I just want to make an impact and cross that bridge when I come to it. I want to make an impact and help the team get to the play-offs."

Johnston is making his second loan spell count having spent last season at Vitoria Guimares in Portugal.