Calvin Miller enjoyed a priceless experience on Monday night when he went head-to-head with Martin Canning in Celtic’s 1-1 draw with Hamilton Accies in the Development League.
Six months ago Miller was playing u-17 football while Canning was getting to grips with being player-manager of a Premiership club.
For much of the game at New Douglas Park it was Canning that was on top but as the game developed Miller’s influence grew.
Midway through the first half, and trailing to an early goal from Alex Dalco, Celtic equalised when Miller created space in the penalty box to smack the ball home after Jamie McCart headed down a Joe Thomson free kick.
“Martin Canning is a good pro, it helps Hamilton that he can play at the back,” Tommy McIntyre admitted while ruling out a comeback. “It’s good for our younger players to come up against experienced players like that. The more experienced your opponent is the better because it’s all about development.
“Calvin was getting a wee bit frustrated, he had a couple of chances but stuck to his task, he kept at it and got his reward with a goal.”
Tomorrow night McIntyre takes his squad to Wycombe to face Benfica in the opening match of the Premier League International Cup.
After that Celtic head to Finland to take on HJK Helsinki in the u-19 Champions League with McIntyre looking forward to a change of scenery.
“It’s mouthwatering when you look at the standard of opposition that we have over the next couple of weeks,” he added. “We had planned giving the younger players a game like this, you don’t often get a chance to do that.
“Getting 90 minutes in against an experienced Hamilton side was a big test for them. We started well then hit a dip. At half time we regrouped, spoke about one or two things and the players took it on board.
“We made a couple of changes and that made a difference. We were well worth a point, finished the match strongly and could have won the match.”
Making a surprise return to a Celtic shirt was left-back Calum Waters who is on a Development loan with Dumbarton.
The terms of the deal allow the player to play in the Development League with McIntyre pleased with the flexibility of the deal.
“We have good communication with Dumbarton,” he added. “It was good that Calum got some game time and alo beneficial for us. He’ll feel good about his game and his club will benefit as well.”
In the third round draw of the Little Big Shot Youth Cup Celtic will travel to Hamilton with the tie scheduled for Sunday November 1.
CELTIC: McCabe, Wardrop (Murray 60), Waters, McCart, Kelleher, Breslin, Hendry, Hill, Miller (Johnston 85), Thomson, McIlduff
SUBS:Doohan, Higgins, Payne, Archibald, Kidd