When Celtic are presented with the SPFL trophy after facing Motherwell on May 15 it will complete an incredible journey for Kieran Tierney.
Back in 2012 he was an enthusiastic ball-boy cheering on as Gary Hooper demolished Hearts to round off the celebrations for Neil Lennon’s title winners.
Last season, after appearing in two matches, Tierney looked a little awkward as he tagged along with his better known team mates as the bhoys lifted another title.
This time around, along with Leigh Griffiths, the bhoy from the Wishaw Emerald will take centre stage as the five-in-a-row celebrations round off a season that Tierney could barely have hoped for.
“I was at the game when Scott lifted the trophy for the first time,” he recalled after being voted Young-Player-of-the-Year. “When I was a wee boy, all I did was play football and go to the Celtic games.
“I was there from the age of seven, so I was playing with them, supporting them everywhere. There are a few pictures of me on social media walking around on the lap of honour after Celtic won the league with Emilio Izaguirre.
“I was only young and a ball boy. He was my hero when I was growing up, being a left back I modelled myself on him.
“I didn’t say anything to him about it at Tynecastle. He probably wouldn’t remember it even if I showed him the picture.
“It’s mad that ball boys are now going to be following me around! They will be in the same situation that I was in as a Celtic youth. I used to love going to those games to be ball boy.
“You would go to the ground really early and hit shots, then give the players the ball back.
“So I know exactly how those boys will be feeling and their dream will be the same as mine was, to go on and play for the first team.”