Lifelong supporter Lewis Toshney can’t wait to to set foot on Celtic Park on Sunday.
The 19-year-old from Lochee has played in every competitive match this season but has still to enjoy the thrill of running out the tunnel onto Celtic Park.
In recent weeks Toshney has been living the dream splitting his time between the u-19 squad and Neil Lennon’s first team after making his top team debut as a substitute away to Aberdeen last month.
Twelve months ago the centre-half was on the sidelines through injury as his team-mates picked up the double with Sunday’s semi-final against Livingston paving the way for a Hampden return in the final of the SFA Youth Cup.
“It was horrible last season watching the big matches from the stand,” he admitted honestly. “I missed out on everything and it was horrible watching the final at Hampden.
“It was great to be on the pitch with the lads at full-time but you always want to be involved and out on the park.
“We’re all looking forward to the match with Livingston, playing at Celtic Park means a lot to us. The pitch is like a bowling green and that will give us the chance to use the ball.
“It’s always been my dream to play at Celtic Park and I can’t wait for this match.
“When I was younger I had a season ticket for the Lisbon Lions stand and now I get along to watch the first team every chance that I get.”
Unlike most supporters Toshney has had an inside view of how the first team operate.
He added: “Last week I trained with the first team which is fantastic. It’s a totally different standard, it’s much quicker and it definitely improves your game.
“That’s what all of the players here are aiming for and the way to do that is to impress for the u-19 side.
“Against Hibs last week we did all right to go two up but after the break we took the foot off the gas and defended too deep. We got a third goal to kill the game off but we need to do better, we never got out of third gear.
“If we win all of our remaining games we’ll win the league. The target is the same as last season and that’s what we are aiming for.
“Sunday will be a big game for all of us, it’s a match that we’re looking forward to.
“I’ll have a few cars coming down from the Lochee No. 1 supporters club, I’ve heard that The Green Brigade will be there as well so the atmosphere will be good.”
Sunday’s match kicks off at 1pm with admission costing £3 and £1 concessions.
In the other semi-final on Saturday Rangers play Hibs at Ibrox.
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