Stevie Frail has revealed that there’s more to Bahrudin Atajic than goals.
Against Dundee on Monday night the young striker notched a double to take his total for the season to 11 from 9 appearances in the u-20 league as Celtic won 4-0 at Dens Park.
Atajic is likely to be included in the first team squad that travels to Aberdeen today with Frail delighted to see the Bosnian-Swede making the impact that first attracted Celtic’s interest.
“I wouldn’t say that we don’t view Bahrudin as an out and out striker,” Frail explained. “But he’s more of a number ten that links play together and works well creating space.
“His all-round performances and contribution to the team has been first class. He’s a different player to last season and more like the one we brought in a few years ago.
“He’s working hard and when he’s training with the first team he’s doing really well. There’s a long way to go, he needs to keep working hard but we’re seeing very promising signs from him.”
The 4-0 win at Dundee on Monday night took Celtic to the top of the table in the u-20 league but cup competitions dominate the calendar over the next fortnight.
On Wednesday Celtic travel to Sporting Lisbon in the Next Gen Series 24 hours after the first team meet Benfica quickly followed by an SFA Cup tie away to Hibs and the final Next Gen fixture away to PSV Eindhoven.
Celtic and Sporting are seperated by five points with all four clubs in Group 3 still capable of qualifying for the knock-out phase.
Frail added: “We set out to win every game, Sporting Lisbon will be tough but apart from Callum McGregor we’ll be almost at full strength.
“The Next Gen matches are a fantastic experience for everyone and we know how important the Sporting match will be.”
Jackson Irvine will be available for the Sporting Lisbon match after Australia lost 2-0 to Iraq in the semi-final of the Asian Cup in Dubai.
Despite missing out on a final place all of the semi-finalists will compete in the u-20 World Cup Finals in Turkey next year.
CELTIC: Daniels; Fisher, Miller, O´Connell, Chalmers; Johnstone (Kirwan 83), Kidd, Lindsay, P. Twardzik (George 67); Ibrahim, Atajic
Subs not used: Hart, McManus, Donnelly, McNally
GOALS: Atajic 2, Kidd, Ibrahim
CLICK HERE for that goal from Ibrahimovic
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