Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is reluctant to allow Mikey Johnston to head out on loan just yet.

The 19-year-old winger is attracting attention from St Mirren, Hibs and Aberdeen but Rodgers has maintained that he has not decided yet what the best option is for the Scotland under-21 internationalist this season.

Johnston has impressed during Celtic’s pre-season but with the player needing game time, Rodgers will weigh up what is the optimum move for him to take next.

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“Mikey is a big talent,” said Rodgers. “ There’s obviously interest from a number of clubs. You are in the situation where, can you give the talent game time he needs? Being around this squad will development, as opposed to getting games in his legs.

“He’s developing well but not at this point are we thinking of letting him out. You always have to be mindful there are a couple of injuries.

“But you don’t want to stop that growth and development.

“Some young players need to have a career outside a club to have a career in it. Others, like Kieran, and defenders, can go in and play. You are always trying to balance giving them games or letting them go out.

“It’s can’t always be a good loan, sometimes you need to have a bad loan as well. Some players have spells that don’t quite work out but good or bad can work for you.

“It’s about creating the pathway for the player. You saw Mikey at the weekend and his development, tactically he’s improving all the time.

“He has incredible ability one verses one but you have to play with the idea tactically. He has that special ability to go past people, that speed that takes him away, and he’s got confidence and a bit of charisma on the field.

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“He doesn’t need an injection of confidence, that’s for sure. He’s got a lovely arrogance when he players. He knows he can go either way but it’s about fitting in to the collective.

“There’s no top team in the world that plays with freedom and players just going out and playing. You play with a structure and there’s moments in the game when you qualities come in to it.

“He knows now you can’t run forward if you can’t run back. We will see in time.

“I can see a great future for him as long as he wants to learn.

"There is a number of clubs interested.

"With Alan, [ Stubbs] we had a very good chat about Mikey and they've got a good history of bringing young players through.

"There are other guys I've spoken to as well so we'll see.

"It just depends. We don't want him to stagnate. He might play less games here but he'll be learning still and that's important."