Mikey Johnston is first to admit that he is fortunate to be involved in the Ireland squad ahead of the final Euro 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands.
The mercurial winger has become an integral part of Stephen Kenny's squad over the past year, however, he is struggling to clock up the minutes back at his club in Glasgow.
Johnston first came into the squad when out on loan in the Portuguese league, playing for Vitória de Guimarães, however, since returning to parent club, Celtic, he has yet to command a place in new coach Brendan Rodgers' starting XI.
In fact, Johnston is still struggling to make the matchday squad at the Parkhead club, who are involved in Champions League group stage football at the moment, and he has only made one league appearance this season.
Having been at his boyhood club since his school days, and still dreaming of playing Champions League football for the Bhoys, Johnston has not given up on his hopes of breaking into the first team, however, he hinted that he may have to look at his options in the not-too-distant future.
But in the meantime, he brings an element of excitement that is evidently lacking in this Ireland squad and as a result, he has enjoyed plenty of game-time in the current qualifying campaign.
Johnston was sprung off the bench for his international debut in a March friendly encounter with Latvia, where he made an immediate impact to help Kenny’s side come from behind to win 3-2.
Just days later, he was sent on for the final stages of Ireland’s riveting opening qualifier at home to France, where Kenny’s side bombarded the France goal in the closing minutes in an attempt to salvage something against their esteemed opponents.
Unfortunately, Kenny’s tactics were foiled on that occasion as France just about held on for the 1-0 victory, but by now, Johnston had gained the reputation of an edge-of-the-seat player, not too dissimilar to another Glasgow-born Irishman playing for Celtic, Aiden McGeady.
Six caps to his name going into the Dutch encounter, Johnston scored his first goal against Gibraltar in June, and netted again on his first start in the green, as he helped Ireland to an impressive 4-0 win in the away fixture in October.
Whether he gets selected in the starting eleven on Saturday night remains to be seen, however, he is certain to play a role if Ireland are going in search of a late goal.
"It's been a positive start," said Johnston, speaking to the media on Wednesday ahead of the trip to Amsterdam.
"I've only played six games and I've only had one start, but I think it has started well. I've had a lot of praise from various places, and I just want to keep that going and keep playing well.
"A massive part," he added, when asked what role the current international manager has had on his career.
"He obviously called me in and gave me my debut. He has called me up when other managers probably wouldn't as I've not been playing as much as I would like to, but he has shown a lot of faith in me, and I just want to repay him.
"He’s a great guy. All the lads love him, and a lot of the nation love him as well. He gives everything in his job and we're trying to get results for him, but it hasn't gone our way. We would love to try and keep him here."
When asked why he feels that Kenny has called on a player with such little game time this season, Johnston said that he believes that he brings something different to the squad.
"I think I just offer the team something different, to be honest," said Johnston. "My one v one ability, and I can make things happen that maybe other players couldn't.
"It's tough to say. It's the manager who makes the decision to bring me in, and I have to repay him and show him what I can do on the pitch.
"I hope I get some game time here. It does help when the manager has shown faith in me. He has given me a lot of confidence to go out and play the way I want to and I want to do that again.
"Obviously, if I can make an impact at international level then I should be able to do that at club level. It’s a big stage and if I can show that then all the better."
As for his club future, Johnston said that he has not spoken to Celtic manager Rodgers too much about his current predicament, however, he looks set to make a call in January, mindful that his international place would be in jeopardy with a sustained spell of inactivity on the sidelines.
"No player is going to be happy when they're not playing," said the Celtic winger. "Ultimately, it's up to me and I need to try and force my way into that team. I have until January to do that, and I will try and give it everything to do that, but we just have to see what happens.
"Not much in the last sort of month," he added, in relation to communication with Rodgers. "We've had chats here and there. It's tough decisions for the manager to make and ultimately, it's up to me.
"I want to be involved in Ireland camps. I want to be playing for Ireland. Realistically, if I'm not playing I won't be getting picked unless I go out and do really well.
"I'm not going to say anything bad about Celtic and I would love for it to happen at Celtic," said Johnston, when asked whether another move abroad could tempt him in the New Year. "I would love to play. But I'm 24 now as well and I want to play every game.
"A big dream of mine would have been to play in the Champions League for Celtic. It's sort of what I wanted to do as a boy, so hopefully it happens but if it doesn’t, it’s not the end of the world."
Watch the Netherlands v Republic of Ireland on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player this Saturday from 7pm, follow a live blog on www.rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to commentary on RTÉ 2fm
Watch the Netherlands v Republic of Ireland on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player this Saturday from 7pm, follow a live blog on www.rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to commentary on RTÉ 2fm.
Watch Norway Under-21 vs Republic of Ireland Under-21 in Euro 2025 qualifying on Friday from 4.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player and follow a live blog on www.rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app
Watch the Women's FAI Cup final, Athlone Town v Shelbourne, on Sunday from 2.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live radio commentary on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
