Curtis Jones wants to sign off his Celtic career in style as a Hampden winner.
After three eventful years in Glasgow the Manchester kid will move on with a number of scouts at Hampden tonight to check out the classy defender.
With Marcus Fraser and Lewis Toshney signed up on long term deals Jones suspected that his Celtic career was coming to an end but that has dampened his enthusiasm or curbed his professionalism in the slightest.
Since January he has formed a great partnership with Fraser as the young hoops stormed their way to the title and tonight’s showdown with Queen of the South with the SFA Youth Cup up for grabs.
“Obviously it’s going to be emotional but I’m trying to treat it as just another game,” he claimed looking towards tonight’s match.
“This game is a final and one to look forward to, I’ll take care of that then hopefully there’ll be teams showing an interest in me.
“I’m happy that my form is good at the moment, the team is on a great run and the priority is lifting the trophy.
“I had an idea that I wasn’t going to get a contract and the coaches told me that, I knew it wasn’t going to happen and that’s fine.
“I’ll leave Celtic with so many memories, being here has helped me develop so much as a player. There are a few highlights like playing at home to Barcelona, this has been my best season, I scored a hat-trick against Inverness and we beat Rangers recently at Murray Park.
“Hampden can be another highlight if we play to form and get the right result. It’ll be amazing to play in a final at Hampden in front of a lot of supporters
“We’ve done well and want to keep things going and repeat the double of the last two seasons.
“The cup final is a big highlight for everyone and something to look forward to.
“We’ve trained as normal in the build up, you can’t hold back. Last season the day before the final I went up for a header with Jackson Irvine and I ended up with concussion which ruled me out of the match.
“I was gutted, couldn’t play contact sport for three weeks so Celtic told me to go home and have a longer holiday. I missed a final and a few tours but that happens in the game.
“I’ve had concussion a few times and knew straight away, my vision was blurred and it wasn’t a nice feeling.”
There has been no concussion or blurred vision for Jones this year with the defender an ever present in the side throughout 2012.
Celtic have won 12 games in a row to sweep past Hearts to the title and see off Aberdeen and St Mirren in the SFA Youth Cup.
There were no signs of nerves in the title run-in with Jones hoping that the confidence amongst the players serves up a treat at the national stadium.
He added: “The atmosphere in the squad is great, everyone is bouncing off each other and that makes the training and playing amazing.
“The coaches have us well prepared and keep us in check even though we’re doing well.
“Last season was frustrating, I got injured but couldn’t get into the team when I got back because they were doing so well. No one in the back four got injured or suspended and I only managed one match near the end of the season.
“It’s good to be in the side this season, I got my chance in January against St Mirren after the break and I felt confident going into that match.
“I’ve felt good since then. There’s been a lot of highlights for myself and the team. We clinched the league then played brilliantly away to Rangers and did well against Hibs after winning the title.
“I’ve got friends and family coming up from Manchester for the final and it would be great to win and celebrate with them afterwards.”
Tonight’s match kicks-off at 7.30pm and is pay at the gate, £5 adults, £2 concessions.
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