MIKEY JOHNSTON made his Celtic debut four years ago under Brendan Rodgers.

Since then, the 22-year-old has been in and out of the team having endured a torrid time with injury.

This has without doubt hampered his development, with his talent clear for all to see.

Having spent the best part of a year on the sidelines, the attacker admits he was worried about becoming a forgotten man at the club he loves.

But having made a few cameo appearances off the bench against Motherwell and St Johnstone, the Hoops ace is determined to make his mark under Ange Postecoglou.

He said: “Obviously, being a Celtic fan, if supporters don’t like you then it can get to you a bit.

“But, it doesn’t matter too much because the manager’s the one who picks the team and I’m back from injury and he’s putting me on.

“He obviously wants to see me out there and that gives me confidence as well.

“Brendan Rodgers gave me my debut a few years ago, probably four or five years ago and it’s been stop start ever since.

“But hopefully I can get a run of games now and keep myself fit. It’s only been a few weeks.

“If I can manage that then it’s going to be so much better for me.

“I want to see Celtic doing well and all these players are coming in and doing well. I’m happy for them.

“But obviously I want to be the one who’s doing well too. Everyone has a bit of selfishness about them.

“That’s my dream, to play for Celtic, and hopefully I can keep doing it.”

Johnston paid gave a nod to the club’s new head of sports science Anton McElhone, who arrived last month after a spell as Morton boss last season.

The former Tottenham backroom staff member was Postecoglou’s first appointment to his own team at Parkhead having inherited the coaches already at the club.

And Johnston revealed McElhone has been great in helping him regain his fitness and recovery work.

He added: “I’m feeling good. The new sports scientist has come in and helped me a lot.

“I’ve needed a bit more time to get myself back up to speed and also to make sure I don’t pick up any more injuries. It’s been good and I’ve been working hard.

“I think in the past it’s been sort of hard for players when they’ve needed to come back for players. But the international week kind of came at a good time for me.

“I was able to get a lot of good fitness work in.

“I was able to put in some strength work that I wouldn’t necessarily just get from training.

“Obviously I’ve had to try and live a bit like a monk recently so I’m not getting any muscle injuries.

“A player like me is going to be a bit more susceptible to those kind of injuries because I’m a bit quicker.”

Johnston was asked if he had to turn to a sports psychologist during the tough period so early in his career.

But he immediately dismissed that notion, insisting some of the senior players in the dressing room have shown tremendous support - along with his family.

He said: “No, I haven’t. But it can be difficult due to the amount of spells I’ve had out. Mentally it can take a toll.

“But I’ve come back and I’ve got confidence from senior players like Joe Hart. They’ve helped me a lot.

“I’ve come back from long spells and I’ve still been doing alright.

“I’m starting to get a bit more belief in myself again.”