Mikey Johnston makes Celtic confession not many would believe as winger certain he is a difference maker

Mikey Johnston waited six years at Celtic for a first taste of Champions League group stage action.

The half-hour run-out in Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat to Lazio in Rome may have left a bittersweet sensation. But the winger is desperate for more appearances at the top table of European football in the coming years – and confident he can get them by forcing his way among Brendan Rodgers choice of starters.

Johnston insists he can make a difference to the Hoops if given a chance. The 24-year-old has been a peripheral figure for the majority of the time since he broke through in Rodgers’ first spell at Parkhead, making his debut at 18. Despite earning a new deal last season, Ange Postecoglou sent him out on loan to Vitoria Guimaraes in the Portugal to gain regular first-team football. It worked a treat. Johnston hasn’t just returned to the east end of Glasgow with his confidence back, he’s also become a regular for the Republic of Ireland having chosen his grandfather’s country over Scotland despite winning three caps for the Scots’ Under-21s earlier in his career.

Johnston looked lively when he replaced James Forrest in the Stadio Olimpico, immediately injecting some fresh impetus into the attack by running at the Lazio defence. And he insists he’s ready to kick on and make an impact regularly – if given the opportunity. He said: “Definitely. I feel as if I can make a difference in the team.

“I’ve been away a while but I have got my momentum back and my confidence back. There’s definitely competition for places. I know what I can offer the team. That was my first Champions League game and while the result wasn’t what we wanted it was great to get that under my belt. It’s a moment I will never forget. But the result was