Stephen Kenny has backed new recruit Mikey Johnston to play a big role in Ireland’s Euro 2024 qualification campaign.
The Celtic winger is currently on-loan at Portuguese side Vitoria, and is still waiting on FIFA to clear the paperwork on his switch from Scotland, where he played up to Under-21 level.
If the international transfer is approved in time, he could receive his first call for this month’s friendly against Latvia on March 22 and the visit of France five days later.
READ MORE: Who is Mikey Johnston? Meet the Celtic player who has declared for Ireland
“I thought the paperwork would have been done last week but it's still not through, the FAI have held off (announcing) until it comes through,” said Kenny.
“We'll have to assess if he's in the next squad but I expect him to be important and very much be involved in the campaign ahead.”
Johnston, who turns 24 next month, has made 80 first-team appearances for Celtic in a career blighted by injury.
Bhoys boss Ange Postecoglou made the decision last summer to send him on loan so that he could secure regular game-time - and so far in Portugal he has featured 20 times for the Primeira Liga side.
Kenny explained why he would be happy to secure the services of the Glasgow-born former Scotland international, who qualifies for the Boys in Green thanks to his Derry grandfather.
“He played in four Scottish Cup finals before he was 22, 2 Scottish Cups and 2 League Cup finals. He's played a lot of big games and some good European games for Celtic,” said the Ireland boss.
“He's a right-footed left-winger that can play on the right as well.
“And he's a dribbler, someone who has a lot of talent, but unfortunately he missed out for a full year injured.
“He had a calf operation and lost a full year of his career, which was difficult for him.
“Celtic signed a lot of players and they've obviously been very successful, so he's had a period at Vitoria where he has played the majority of games.
“It's a good league, the Portuguese league, a high standard.
“We can't expect too much, too soon from him, it's going to be one over a period of time where he gets a full season under his belt, and over the next year or two I'm sure he'll really excel because he has lots of natural talent.”
Looking ahead to this month’s international camp, he added: “I'm hoping that he's an option. I would have expected the paperwork to be done. For whatever reason, it's delayed.”
While Johnston’s participation remains in the balance, a number of players have already been ruled out of the Latvia and France games.
Callum Robinson (hamstring) joins Enda Stevens and Aaron Connolly on the absentee list, while Darragh Lenihan is a doubt.
Addressing Robinson’s woes, he said: “It's unfortunate, he played in the live game the previous Friday night and felt a little tweak of the hamstring, they'd used their substitutes at the time.
“He played. He's ruled out, it's a hamstring injury, a severe hamstring injury, it's just unfortunate because to be honest.
“He's been an important person in the group, he's emerged in the last two years, he's become one of the leaders so it's unfortunate.”
Kenny added: “Enda Stevens obviously has been sort of ruled out, he's just starting to come back training with Sheffield United at the moment, he's been out for a while.
“I have to see Darragh Lenihan, he's been managing an injury so we have to see how he is. Everyone else is ok. Aaron Connolly of course is ruled out with a foot injury.”
One guaranteed newcomer for this month’s senior games is new coach John O’Shea.
His promotion from the Under-21 set-up was confirmed last week.
Kenny said: “When I was Under-21 manager I spent four days with John in Reading with Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki. He was just starting off in his coaching journey.
“He’s done very well with Reading and Stoke, and the Under-21 team. He had some quite inventive set pieces.
“He was in charge of set pieces with the Under-21 team. He had a good way about him coaching.
“The thing for him was to make sure he felt ready himself.
“He had to complete his Pro Licence and he did another UEFA qualification.
“He wanted to make sure he was ready and once he completed all that he felt… I think there is a pathway now, obviously Keith Andrews went from the Under-17s with Ireland to the Under-21s and then the senior international team.
“We’ve seen it with players over the last two years, the players who have made their competitive debut.
“It’s a record number, some of the coaches have come through too. It’s good to have that opportunity.”
Kenny added: “It was important that when John Eustace left we didn’t want to rush an appointment.
“We wanted somebody who would fit in seamlessly with the coaching team and with the players.
“The difficulty for John [O’Shea] was that he played with some players who are still in the squad. But I don’t see that as a difficulty.
“They all have huge respect for him. He’s had experience with the younger players as well.
“We met as a staff a few weeks ago in Birmingham. We all got on really well. John has great humility as a person. He will be a good addition.”
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