West Brom players sent 'be ready' message by coach after Mikey Johnston grabs recall opportunity
West Brom players have been told to 'be ready' when required - after Mikey Johnston earned a recall and took his opportunity in the 1-1 draw with Portsmouth.
Winger Johnston was handed his first league start of the season - after bagging two assists off the bench in the recent victory over Wrexham.
He came in for Karlan Grant and took his chance with both hands, as he followed up a lively start with a superb individual strike to hand Albion the lead.
They were pegged back by a Colby Bishop strike and had to settle for a point - with Albion frustratingly denied a second half penalty in the game.
It has been a difficult few weeks for Johnston, who at one stage this summer looked to be heading out of The Hawthorns exit door with the winger set for a £5m switch to Brazilian side Flamengo.
That deal fell through with Johnston then linking up with his team mates at their pre-season training camp in Austria.
And after a frustrating start to the league campaign - the winger was hailed by Albion assistant head coach Nigel Gibbs for grabbing his chance.
He said: "Everyone saw what he did last week and when you give Mikey the ball in those areas, he can create anything and it was a fantastic shot.
"He earned his start today and contributed with a goal.
"But we are going to need everyone in the squad, it is a squad game, we'll need the substitutes coming on and players not involved, they are going to be important, and the need to be focussed.
"Mikey has had his chance today and he took it with a fantastic strike."
Gibbs, who stepped into press duties following the dismissal of head coach Ryan Mason - also explained that Johnston's recall after his impressive display against Wrexham sends a message to the Albion squad.
He stated that if you impress then you will be handed your chance.
"It gets drummed into the players from the manager, it takes a whole squad throughout the season, everyone always needs to be ready, they are going to be needed," added Gibbs.
"It was proven today with Mikey, he got his chance to come into the team after the last couple of games.
"Now we have to keep working hard as a group which is important, leading into the game next week."
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