Stuart Findlay couldn’t be happier with the way that the new season has started for him.
The 16-year-old enjoyed plenty of highlights last season including a starring role in Celtic’s 4-2 Next Gen win at Manchester City followed by a 90 minute run out against Norwich City in Adam Drury’s testimonial.
Findlay captained Celtic’s u-20 side in the 3-1 win over Motherwell last week and will be looking for more of the same tomorrow against Hamilton Accies at Firhill.
The new look u-20 league has been met with almost universal approval with the young centre-half a big fan of the new set up.
“I played a couple of games for the u-19s last season which was a bonus,” Findlay explained. “But to be a regular for the u-20s is something I never really imagined. To play at Firhill then Fir Park against strikers like Bob McHugh, who played for the Motherwell first team three days earlier, is a good incentive to push on.
“We knew that St Mirren and Motherwell would be two tough tests, Motherwell had a few first team players involved so to win 3-1 against them was a brilliant result.”
Despite the youth of the Celtic squad they have picked up where last season’s u-19’s signed off their record breaking season.
Tony Watt, Dylan McGeough, Jackson Irvine, Marcus Fraser, Callum McGregor and Filip Twardzik have all played for the first team this season with Findlay and co charged with filling those boots.
Most teenagers would look at a fortnight on the Algarve in July as a great holiday but under the eye of the Celtic coaching staff following a detailed training schedule the young Celts worked harder than they’d ever imagined.
“We knew that Portugal was going to be tough,” Findlay added. “We were warned in advance, but training in the heat, sometimes at 35 degrees means that we’re all feeling fresh and lasting 90 minutes against older opponents.
“We all worked really hard with Ian Coll the sports scientist and we’re showing what we’re capable of.
“As a defender it’s great to be working alongside John Kennedy, he was in the first team at 16 and went on to play in the Nou Camp.
“He admits that he’s tougher on the centre-half’s because he knows that position better than any other but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s good to have someone like that to learn from on a daily basis.
“I’ve played alongside Paddy (McNally) in defence in all of the games so far and we’ve developed a good relationship in front of Leo (Fasan).
“We’ve started the season well but we know that we have to prove ourselves on a weekly basis. Everyone is working hard and knows what is expected when they are playing for Celtic.”
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