Celtic winger Mikey Johnston opens up on his injury hell as he reveals why he was determined to step up in the Scottish Cup final shoot-out.
The 21-year-old suffered a knee injury away at St Johnstone last season, potentially aggravating the issue after trying to play on.
That brought an angry reaction from manager Neil Lennon at the time and Johnston has had to battle his way back to fitness.
He scored a penalty in the shoot-out as Celtic lifted the Scottish Cup against Hearts, and the Scotland Under-21 international feels that was the moment he knew he was back.
Johnston explained on Celtic TV: "Obviously, being out for so long was hard and there was a lot of hard work that had to in to get myself back where I am, so I’m just happy to be back on the pitch with the boys again.
“It can be frustrating, not being able to effect things on the pitch when you’re out, especially in the games where we’ve been struggling a bit recently.
"We weren’t even allowed to go to the games because of the Covid stuff, so that was tough, having to watch it from the couch in the house.
"It was tough, but I’m just happy to be back.
“I thought the penalty in the cup final would be a good way to bounce back after so long.
"I think it’d have been something I’d have regretted for the rest of my life if I didn’t take it, to score a penalty in a Scottish Cup final, so I’m just buzzing that I’ve done it.”
