Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has urged Mickey Johnson to seize the opportunity that has opened up for him due to the injury to Jota.Postecoglou tasked young Scotsman Johnson to step up in the absence of the injured Jota in his latest interview shortly after the slim win over Hearts. According to him, players such as Mikey Johnson and LielAbadaneed to perform when they are given the opportunity to represent Celtic. He further said that's why they are at the club.

Postecoglou watched from the dugout as Celtic beat Hearts 1-0 at home thanks to the first half strike from KyogoFuruhashi. The Japanese international scored the only goal in the 33rd minute to ensure that Celtic stayed in touch with Rangers at the Scottish Premiership summit. Celtic sealed their third league win in a row by beating Hearts and also maintained their four-point deficit to defending champions Rangers when it comes to the Scottish Premiership.

Jota picked up a hamstring problem in the second half of the Hearts game and he's set for some time on the sidelines as a result. Johnson came on for Jota after the injury and he's almost certain to replace him for the upcoming games until he recovers from the hamstring issue. Jota has been a regular in the Celtic team under former Australian national team manager Postecoglou.

On the injury to Jota, Postecoglou told reporters after the win over Hearts that the winger has played every game at Celtic this season and he would have loved to rest him before hamstring injury struck. The Celtic boss was not able to give the winger a breather due to the state of the squad available to him. He went on to say that Jota is hopeful that the injury is nothing too serious.