Brendan Rodgers says Michael Johnston is in his first-team plans this season although the Celtic manager revealed there are loan options on the table if this changes.
Scotland Under-21 international Johnston joined Celtic’s youth set-up in 2008 and he has been making steady progress throughout his time with the Scottish champions.
The 19-year-old winger made his senior debut in May last year, in a 4–1 victory over St Johnstone at Parkhead, before making a further three league appearances during the previous campaign.
Rodgers has used the Glaswegian during pre-season and his impressive performances have increased the possibility of a more regular spot in the first-team squad this year.
Several clubs across Europe are said to be showing an interest in the Scot and it is thought the Bhoys, who are heavy 1.10 favourites to retain their league title, have been inundated with loan offers for the 2018/19 campaign.
Rodgers has revealed he is not thinking about letting Johnston leave on loan although the former Liverpool boss admits this could all change before the start of the new season.
“He is learning the other side of the game in terms of the tactical idea of pressing and how to work and how to recover but there is no doubt he is a special talent,” he said.
“So, at this moment in time, he is very much in my plans. “We need to develop him, get him some games and if that changes there is a number of options with teams that would like to take him, but at this moment he stays.”
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