All action midfielder Callum Bagshaw loved every minute of his final Celtic appearance in the SFA Youth Cup win over Rangers.
Like three other team-mates in the starting XI at Hampden the midfielder had known for over a month that he wouldn’t be offered a new deal to stay on at Celtic.
Covering every blade of grass up and down the right wing at Hampden Baggy gave it his usual 100% plus to ensure that his hoops career ended on a high note.
The 19-year-old played in all seven victories through April- away to Kilmarnock, Hamilton, Rangers, St Mirren, Inverness and Motherwell- before winning his second SFA Youth Cup winners medal at Hampden on Wednesday.
“The fixture list that we’ve had has been crazy,” he laughed. “If the first team won six away matches in less than three weeks to clinch the title you’d say it’s incredible.
“The first team might think that they play on some poor pitches but they should see some of the places we’ve been to.
“We learn to play football but then have to go to a lot of difficult places, that tests our will and character and we came up with a double.
“It’s been a rollercoaster over the last year and a bit, it’s non stop at this club but that’s football and you have to love it.
“Being at a club of Celtic’s stature you have to win all the time. The pressure is on to win every single game no matter who you play and we’re all winners here.”
Wherever he plays in midfield you can guarentee that Baggy will be fully involved. Charging into tackles, pinging forward passes and contesting every decision from the referee it’s never difficult to pick out the Aberdonian.
The depth of talent in the Celtic squad was perfectly illustrated at Hampden on Wednesday night.
With top scorer James Keatings injured, Tony Watt cup-tied and Greig Spence substituted after 81 minutes Celtic turned to Liam Gormley to replace Patrik Twardzik.
Sixty seconds later Celtic were in front with Baggy at the heart of the celebrations.
He added: “We have great depth in the squad as Liam Gormley proved. Keatsy was banging in the goals all season long but that didn’t mean that other players couldn’t do it.
“Liam has always been a goalscorer for us, when he’s come on he’s found the net, he deserves great credit for his goal.
“Now we can enjoy our presentation and say thanks to the supporters, especially the Green Brigade and that’s something to look forward to.”
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