Brennan Johnson has overcome “a rocky road” and is on track to becoming a big Premier League star, according to Steve Cooper.
Wales international forward Johnson rescued Nottingham Forest on Sunday with two equalisers to peg back Everton. His superb second 13 minutes from time earned promoted Forest a vital point in a 2-2 draw in their battle to stay up.
City Ground academy graduate Johnson scored 18 goals en route to the promotion and has nine this term, including seven in the top flight. Reds boss Cooper said of the 21-year-old: “I see him every day and he wants to get better, so he won’t get too high or too low.
“His goals were great and his performance was good. People are getting booked for tackling him, which means he’s taking risks and he had a really good impact in the game. He’s on an upward curve and took a bit of a rocky road before the break, but that was always going to happen.
“At the moment, he is performing really well and getting numbers. But, as always, it’s about continuing to improve. I know how committed he is and how much he wants to get better.
“There’s always a level to get to and a long way to go, which is natural for his age in his first year in the Premier League. But we are really pleased with Bren, he loves the club and is a local boy who grew up down the road. It is great to see him banging two in today.”
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Johnson again linked up very well with team-mate Morgan Gibbs-White as the pair’s rapport continues to grow. Cooper added: “It is an important part of our team.
“We build a game-plan sometimes thinking, ‘how can we get Brennan and Morgan the ball?’ I don’t shy away from that. I am pleased with the connection, for sure.”
But Cooper was not happy with referee John Brooks’ display. He rued: “The referee has had too much involvement. I am disappointed.”
