When Jack Aitchison tucked the ball into the Motherwell net the comparisons were obvious.
Four years earlier the venue was Fir Park as a teenage striker was listed as a substitute for the first time.
A suspension had opened the door for Tony Watt to be included in Neil Lennon’s squad when he got the call to replace the out of touch Pavel Brozek in the 59th minute.
It wasn’t quite his first touch but four minutes later the Coatbridge kid was tucking the ball into the net, three minutes later he added a second as he emerged from the youth ranks to demonstrate what he was capable of on the big stage.
Six months later even Barcelona knew his name!
As Jack Aitchison made his mark on Sunday it brought back pleasing memories for Watt as he watched the action on television.
In the space of a couple of hours a career can be turned around, the anonymous kid down the street becomes public property, the name on everyone’s lips with sky high expectations and predictions.
Since scoring at Fir Park Watt’s career has had it’s ups and downs, injury ended his season two months ago but a string of Championship clubs are interested in his services after scoring in that division for Charlton, Cardiff and Blackburn.
“I enjoyed watching the match on Sunday, it was great to see Jack take his chance and put the ball in the net,” Watt said. “It’s a good marker for him to lay down and hopefully he can kick on.
“With a new manager coming in everyone wants to make an impression and strikers are measured by goals.
“People will be looking out for Jack now, he needs to get as many appearances in as possible, get regular football and kick on from Sunday. I hope it works out well for him.”
After his first team debut and a round of media appearances Aitchison returns to the world he was in prior to Sunday with Celtic’s u-17 side taking on Hamilton at New Douglas Park tonight, kick off 7.30pm.
As Aitchison prepared to make his first team bow his younger team-mates were involved in a bizarre 5-5 draw with Partick Thistle that featured a four goal haul from Michael Johnston.
Information on the u-17 league is difficult to come by but a win over Hamilton tonight would take Celtic onto 64 points, which two other clubs could match, with Celtic still to go to Hibs and host Hamilton in their final two fixtures.
Simon Donnelly and Gerry Crainey were the last young strikers to emerge from within the ranks to make an impact on the first team, after his display on Sunday the focus will now be on Aitchison who has all the ability and characteristics to succeed.