Johnston: 'People expected me to do more and I expected more of myself'

Denzel Dumfries gave Ireland the runaround in September but the Dutch star was once subjected to a similar experience himself by Mikey Johnston.

This time five years ago, an 18-year-old Johnston was the standout of Scotland’s U21 team who recorded Double Dutch in their Euro campaign.

Twice in their 2-1 win in Doetinchem, the winger hit the post and reports of the game confirm he was on the rise while having his marker on toast.

He had broken into the Celtic team over the spell, earning two bumper contract extensions within the space of two years. Then, his injuries and covid hit.

No longer is the Glaswegian the darling of his Scottish generation, instead defecting to Ireland and realising his club career may be better beyond Parkhead.

“I think we got beaten,” the 24-year-old erroneously recalls when reminded of that 2018 clash. “Oh, we won 2-0.” Wrong again. “Was he (Dumfries) playing, yeah?” he queries as the haze deepens.

“I don't know if I gave him a hard time but I can't remember much about it. It's been five years now and that was at youth level. So, it's completely different.” 

Quite the understatement.

Dumfries recovered from the ignominy of being schooled by a teen three years his junior on home soil to gain promotion to the Netherlands senior squad and navigate his way to Inter Milan.

Over the past year, he’s featured in a World Cup semi-final, Champions League final and set up both goals in the come-from-behind win over Ireland in September.

Comparatively, the 12 months for Johnston maintains the slog he’s endured since sparkling for the Scots that night.

Just as a loan move to Portuguese side Vitória de Guimarães and Ireland exposure were regaining former glories, another injury struck.

His struggles for