Neil Lennon has highlighted the performances of Tony Watt from Celtic’s last two matches.
With most first team regulars given a break the defeat at Motherwell and draw at Ross County have taken a little shine away from clinching the title.
That should clear away tomorrow when the SPL trophy is presented after the visit of St Johnstone with the full squad back in place two weeks away from the Scottish Cup Final against Hibs.
Watt has used the games at Motherwell and Raith Rovers to stake his claim for a Hampden place after falling out of the first team picture a little.
“I’m pleased with Tony Watt’s performances over the last couple of games,” Lennon told Celtic tv.
“It’s a young player getting opportunities. I think that he’s been made 26 or 27 appearances which is a very good return.
“We’re always looking for the next generation of players coming through.”
Tom Rogic has also been given a run in those games with Lennon expecting to see the best of the midfielder next season.
“It’s important for Tom to get a pre-season,” Lennon added. “He’s just acclimatising to life in Scotland and the pace of games. I’m really pleased with him, we’ll see much more of him next season.”
Looking forward to the match against St Johnstone Lennon said: “Everyone is back and we’ve had an intensive week of training. We’ll go really strong for the game on Saturday and hopefully celebrate with a good performance.
“To win back-to-back titles as Celtic manager is very special. Not many people get the opportunity to manage Celtic and even fewer win titles, to have two on my card is a great honour.”
I would have Watt in my starting 11 every week ! And his goal should have stood at ROSS COUNTY ! ! ! !
Plenty time For Tony, he’s coming on very nice indeed. Having lads like him, McGeough and now Rogic is very healthy indeed for competition for the likes of Wanyama, Hooper and Kayal, just in case they’ve got 1 eye on the EPL.
Good we reminder that the young time are ready to step up, will keep them thinking about appreciating what they have before jumping ship imo. Also with the u 20’s doing so well year in year out, they’ll be soon chapping the Managers door as well.
Its all good in the East end hood. HH 1NL
With no Oldco to bother about, we were always going to win the title by some distance yet have taken way too long to intriduce the young talent bursting to show what they can do.
In Holland such youngsters would be regulars, yet we still hold them back at 18-19-20…I don’t expect them to play 30-40 games a season but should be capable of giving them 10-20 without causing us any real problems and gaining much more in long term.
Cash in on Hooper.Watt is more than good enough to replace him .Tom Rogic is another who should be a certain starter every week.