Jack Aitchison has revealed that Kolo Toure is steering him into Brendan Rodgers plans.
The young striker wasn’t even at primary school when the defender was helping Arsenal to their Invincible season in 2003/04.
Brendan Rodgers’ squad are nine matches away from matching that achievement with Aitchison likely to be given some game time along the way.
The Celtic boss has revealed the example that Toure has set for the club’s youngest players with his playing experience also being passed down the line.
Defenders would be the most obvious players to benefit but as he prepares to lead the line for Scotland’s u-17 Aitchison has been learning the tricks of the trade from one of the best stoppers to have played in the English Premier League.
“The manager’s been very good and given me a lot of advice, along with Chris Davies and Kolo Toure,” Aitchison told the Evening Times.
“It’s good to be involved with big names who have done a lot in their football careers. I can make the most of their experience to improve my own game.
“From a defensive point of view, Kolo tells me where to stand and move. He’s played in some of the biggest games in football with and against some of the biggest names like Thierry Henry
“He told me I was one of the best he’d seen so that gives me the belief I can go quite far. He’s great with the younger players. He comes to watch the training and games. The gaffer and Chris Davies are the same.
“Kolo’s had a good career and it says a lot about him that he’s willing to give up his time like that. He’s still the ultimate professional, even at his age and stage of his career.
“He’s a very nice guy and I think his son’s in the youth system at Celtic so he understands it from that perspective as well. He’s bought into the fact that we’re all a big family really.”
After wins over Montenegro and Serbia Scotland’s u-17 side need a point off Switzerland tonight to ensure top place from their European Championship Elite Round qualifiers and a place in the finals to be held in Croatia in May.
