Neil Lennon highlighted the display of Tony Watt following the 5-0 win over St Johnstone in the League Cup.
The 18-year-old has been called into action a number of times this season and has earned the trust and respect of his manager.
Celtic’s best domestic performances of the season have involved the former Airdrie striker with Lennon thrilled by Watt’s progress.
“He’s an excellent foil for Gary (Hooper),” Lennon noted. “In the games he’s played at Inverness, St Mirren or tonight he has excelled.
“He can be very pleased with his contribution, he still has a lot to go but there are a lot of good attributes that the kid has got. I was really pleased with the intensity of his play.
“With Lassad, Samaras and Stokes injured and Miku still finding his feet Tony has really come to prominence.”
Whether it was two goals or three the display of Kris Commons delighted the Celtic boss.
Last season virtually by-passed the former Derby midfielder but with a string of commanding performances and an eye for goal Commons has arguably been Celtic’s most influential player this season.
Lennon added: “Kris wasn’t at his best at weekend but he gave me the response I asked for.
“That typified his season, he was bright, alert, his passing was quality and he has always been a good finisher so that will do him the world of good. It was dominant performance and one that I wanted.
“The ones who played on Saturday knew that had fallen below the standards they set themselves.”
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Tony Watt in my opinion should be first choice striker. His workrate is amazing. I would like to see celtic bring on more of our young players into squad rather than those players who cant up their workrate to keep the high tempo required to beat the packed defences we play regularly.Hail Hail.
Watt & Hooper is the ideal partnership for spl games.