Nottingham Forest legend Frank Clark says Brennan Johnson has "unbelievable potential" as he calls on referees to change their attitude to the flying forward.
Johnson will head into the final weeks of the season in confident mood after being named EFL Championship young player of the year thanks to his return of 15 goals and 10 assists. Former Reds player, manager and chairman Clark says the 20-year-old could have added to that tally if referees had awarded him more penalties, rather than rejecting his appeals or even booking Johnson for diving.
"He'll be a Premier League player certainly. He's only 20. He's got things to learn and improve on," Clark said on this week's Garibaldi Red podcast. "Hopefully it will be with us. It will be difficult to keep him if we don't go up.
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"He's had a wonderful season. He's a credit to himself and the game. Sometimes he doesn't get the protection he deserves from referees.
"I can think of three or four occasions this season when penalties should have been given for fouls on Brennan. Referees these days are far too quick to wave appeals away. He's been booked twice for diving, which is absolutely ludicrous.
"He's got unlimited potential. It's just a start and it's a first year but he'll go on. He'll keep his feet on the ground because his father won't let him do otherwise."
Wales international Johnson has one year left on his contract and looks set to leave if Forest miss out on promotion, with Villareal the latest team linked with his signature. Clark admits it is likely promotion or bust when it comes to keeping the son of former Reds striker David Johnson at the City Ground.
"It will be very, very difficult to keep him if we don't go up," he said. "Throughout the game it's very difficult for a Championship club to keep a talented player when a big Premier League club comes calling."
