MIKEY Johnston admitted he had grown impatient waiting for his first Celtic goal.

And when it did come, his finish over Motherwell goalkeeper Mark Gillespie, a chip from 18 yards, was spectacular. It’s fair to say he was a happy man after breaking his duck.

Johnston is a talent and highly thought-of by Brendan Rodgers. He has been in and around the squad all season, and for some of the previous campaign, but there was something missing.

Johnstone said: “It's been kind of playing on my mind. I need to get that first goal out the way so I'm just happy to get it out the way. I didn't even realise it had hit the netI

“My family were n the players’ lounge and a few of the boys were saying they were going mental. I’m buzzing. My parents would drive me everywhere, even going up to games in Inverness. It was mental. I’m really grateful for all they did.

“Celtic is always a club that is going to want to play young players, so hopefully I can keep working hard and take my chances.

“It was a good goal, I’m really happy with it. It’s my first competitive goal and I’ve been waiting a while to get it, so I’m just buzzing to finally get off the mark.

“The manager didn’t say much to me before going on, he just told me to go on and play my usual game, work hard and there was no pressure.”

With a question mark now hanging over the fitness of Odsonne Edouard, Johnston could be asked to play as a temporary striker – at least against Dundee on Saturday.

It’s a task that doesn’t faze the confident 19-year-old.

Johnston said: “I don’t mind playing up front, I’ll play where I’m told. As long as I’m getting games I don’t mind. I’m taking it day by day and working hard to try and get a place in the team.

“I just need to keep working hard and keep trying to get as much game time as I can and keep learning off all those top players. All of the players have been good to me. Everyone is looking after me, giving me advice and I’m just trying to take inspiration off everyone and just keep learning.

“If I can get in playing as a striker then great, but if it’s elsewhere then it doesn’t matter. I can play up front. Obviously, my preferred position is as a winger, but I can play up front if that’s where I am asked to play, and I’ll just go and work hard.

“You never know, I might not play. I just need to keep working hard in training and earn my right to play.”