Ange Postecoglou has extended an olive branch to Mikey Johnston as the Celtic loanee prepares to be called into the Ireland set-up.
The 23-year-old is on loan at Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes and has helped steer the club to the upper reaches of the Primiera Liga this term, and the Scotland U21 cap could help seal a European spot for his current club before the end of the campaign. That form has caught the eye of Stephen Kenny who has reportedly convinced Johnston to switch allegiances to the Boys in Green, with the FIFA paperwork close to being completed.
The green light is set to be handed to the winger for the double-header with France and Latvia, and Postecoglou has opened the door to continuing his Celtic career when he returns to Parkhead at the end of the campaign. Ahead of leaving for his European adventure Johnston penned a new contract that keeps him on the Celtic Park books until 2026.
Asked about his thoughts on Johnston potentially joining the Irish set-up and his Celtic future, Postecoglou said: "In terms of his international football, that is a decision he has made and I'm sure he has given that plenty of thought with the people around him. I think international football is a fantastic part of a footballer's career.
"It allows you to have new experiences and different experiences, and an opportunity to take your game to another level because of the different kind of context international football brings.
"Hopefully for him that gives him all of the things he is looking for in his career. In terms of beyond that, he is playing more regularly.
"We needed him to play more regular football and he is doing that. At the end of the year we will look at it and decide what is best for his future."
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