Saidy Janko made a favourable impression on Brendan Rodgers during Celtic’s 1-0 win over Sturm Graz.
Much was expected of the 20-year-old signed from Manchester United last summer but like most of last season’s squad it was far from a memorable term.
Janko started just eight matches- none between October 4 and May 8- but lived up to his billing in yesterday’s win over the Austrian side.
Mikel Lustig was virtually unchallenged for the right-back position last season but with Janko, Anthony Ralston and Darnell Fisher impressing in pre-season Rodgers has plenty of options for the start of the serious action.
“Saidy was excellent at right back,” the new bhoys boss said. “He’s been out a long time and he was like a train on that side- he was solid.
“I was really pleased. I thought the first half was great. We have spoken a lot about our defensive organisation and we pressed very well.
“Nadir Ciftci did well up front, we pressed well in midfield and on the sides. As soon as we scored, we won the ball back and almost scored again – catching them by surprise.
“There were large elements of the first half that I was really pleased with. The grass was a bit long and it was difficult to pass it, but we still did well on that front.”
Celtic face Olimpija Ljubljana on Thursday before taking on Maribor in the final match of their trip to Slovenia, both matches kick off at 6pm Celtic Park Time.