Why Mikey Johnston to Hearts collapsed as Celtic winger sliding doors moment revealed before West Brom revival

The Ireland international has kickstart his career at the Hawthorns after a tough spell at Celtic Park.

Lee McCulloch has revealed how a move to Hearts for Celtic winger Mikey Johnston fell apart.

The wide man struggled to find top form at Celtic earlier in the campaign but has kickstarted his career at West Brom on loan from the Scottish Premiership leaders. He has hit seven goals for the Baggies and has played a key part in their push to reach the English Premier League - with the 24-year-old also scooping the gong for Championship Player of the Month gong for March.

But things could have been very different for the Republic of Ireland international had he opted to make a move to Gorgie. Former Jambos' assistant McCulloch has admitted that Robbie Neilson was keen to make a move for Johnston before the end of the summer window in 2022 - with the forward eventually opting to gamble and sign with Portuguese top flight side Vitoria Guimaraes on loan.

McCulloch explained to PLZ the reasons behind the knock back. He said: "We tried to get Mikey Johnston at Hearts and he didn't want to leave Celtic. And if he did leave Celtic he didn't want to go to another Scottish team."

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