Robert Page: Brennan Johnson good enough for top-six Premier League team

Wales manager Robert Page says Brennan Johnson could play for a top-six Premier League team now and those clubs who wanted him in January have missed out.

Nottingham Forest forward Johnson heads into Sunday’s Sky Bet Championship play-off final against Huddersfield on the back of a breakthrough season for club and country.

Johnson has scored 19 goals this term and was named the Championship’s Young Player of the Season at the EFL awards last month.

The 21-year-old was the subject of a reported £18million bid from Brentford in January, but chose to stay at his hometown club for whom his father David played for between 2001 and 2006.

Page said: “Brennan is the future of Welsh football and I think he’s top-six (Premier League) now.

“He’s shown he’s got that potential and ability.

“I’ve seen it in him for a long time and it’s been great to watch his development.

“I think that the teams showing interest in him in January have lost out now.”

Johnson has scored 14 of his 19 goals since the new year as Forest’s rise under Steve Cooper has gathered pace.

He was on target in both legs of the semi-final play-off victory over Sheffield United, and Page reserved special praise for his father-agent in his progress.

He said: “We all know his dad and it’s been great management from him as well.

“There was a lot of hype spoken about him in January and that hasn’t fazed him at all.

“He hasn’t crumbled under that pressure. He’s enjoyed it and he’s gone to another level again.

“He could have chased the money and quadrupled his wages, if not more.

“But it’s not about that for him, and it’s so refreshing to see young lads want to play and win trophies.

“All the rest will take care of itself, the money, nice houses and nice cars will come.

“He