Kidd: Ajax performance sets the standard

Lewis Kidd is hoping that last week’s 4-1 win over Ajax can kick start a run of form for Celtic’s youth side.

After the disappointment of narrow defeats to AC Milan and Barcelona the young hoops hit form with their best display of the season.

Goals from Joe Thomson, Jamie Lindsay and Liam Henderson put Celtic in command with Kidd killing off any prospect of a fightback from Ajax by netting a second half penalty with the game balanced at 3-1.

Switching between the demands of the SPFL u-20 league with overage players and the u-19 UEFA competition hasn’t been easy but with an SFA Youth Cup tie against Stenhousemuir coming up on Wednesday (kick-off 7pm) followed by a trip to Amsterdam Kidd is hopeful that the team is about to hit a rich vein of form.

“Beating Ajax so convincingly was great for all of us, now we need to take that form into every game we play in,” the midfielder turned full-back confirmed.

“Maybe in our first two matches we sat off AC Milan and Barcelona too much, we’re not really used to playing like that but against Ajax we got about them from the start and it paid off.

“In these games it’s vital to get in front, as soon as Joe Thomson scored we dominated the first half, it was unbelievable to be 3-0 up at half-time but that’s what we were aiming for.

“At half time we knew that the next goal would be vital. If we had got it the game would be put to bed but unfortunately we lost one straight away so it made the penalty very important.

“As soon as we got it Jamie Lindsay was in my ear telling me ‘you better score, you better score.’ After netting it gave us the three goal cushion again and we saw the game out.”

Kidd’s confidence from the penalty spot was matched later on that night when James Forrest netted the opening goal against Ajax in front of 60,000 fans at Celtic Park.

While Forrest showcases the Celtic Academy Kidd believes that a step back has given him a fresh outlook on the game.

Almost two years ago Darnell Fisher made the move from central midfield to right-back with Kidd looking positively on his new role.

“I’ve been a midfielder for most of my career but I’m happy with the move to right-back, it shows that the coaches have faith in me and that my career is progressing,” he added.

“Darnell made the same move two years ago and look at him now, he’s flying and did well in his debut for the first team.

“The way we play we look for the wingers to cut in and for the full-backs to bomb on, that suits my game. When Joe Thomson comes inside it gives me licence to move into that space, when I see the play developing I can get forward but I’m learning the defensive side as well.

“I’ve got to tuck in at times, having Eoghan (O’Connell) and Stuart (Findlay) helps a lot, they talk me through the games and keep me right.”