By Graeme Young
Gutted Mikey Johnston appears set to miss out on a transfer to Flamengo as furious fans reportedly revolted against a 拢5million move for the former Celtic man. Multiple outlets in Brazil claim local supporters are dead against the move and Republic of Ireland legend Robbie Keane was drafted into firefight as he raved about Johnston during a surprising appearance on Brazilian sports TV. Johnston appeared primed to move 12 months on from sealing his permanent switch to West Brom from Celtic . But now he will report for pre-season duty with the Baggies unless Flamengo rail against their supporters’ wishes. West Brom refused to stand in Johnston’s way but now appear set to keep the wide man with a sizeable fee already set during discussions with Flamengo. The 26-year-old has thrilled fans with his daring style over the years and appeared a perfect fit for the samba flair of South America. And Keane offered an impassioned defence of the Republic of Ireland international during a lively radio debate. Vampeta: 鈥淗ello Keane, amigo, how are you?鈥 Robbie Keane: 鈥淗ow are you?鈥 Vampeta: “Fine” Keane: “Yeah, are you good?” Vampeta: “Yes, good man.” Keane: “How are you my friend?” Vampeta: “Fine. One minute please (hands phone over).” Pilhado: “Hi, I鈥檓 Vampeta鈥檚 friend, how are you? Let me ask a question. We are in a programme in Brazil live, I want to know, do you know Mike Johnston, a striker from Ireland?” Keane: “Yeah, Michael, he鈥檚 a winger, a left-winger, he鈥檚 really small and fast.” Pilhado: “(Translates answer) But let me ask you something, he is a good name for Flamengo, a Brazilian team here?” Keane: 鈥淚鈥檓 with my Brazilian (fades out, but likely referring to Ferencvaros assistant coach Leandro de Almeida)… The fans will like him, because he is really fast and skillful.” Pilhado: 鈥淒o you think he is a good player for a big team in Brazil?” Keane: 鈥淵eah, I think he is getting better and better. Also, he is a good guy.” Pilhado: 鈥淭hank you so much. Vampeta tells me he loves you.鈥 Keane: 鈥淭ell him I love him.鈥 Pilhado: 鈥淩oberto Carlos is with us also.鈥 Keane: 鈥淎h, Roberto, my best friend. I love him.鈥 Pilhado: 鈥淭hank you so much.鈥 Follow Record Sport on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Celtic page, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We’re also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Celtic community here . Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football.