Jack Aitchison is feeling the benefits of Brendan Rodgers’ priceless lessons.
The teenager has made two substitute appearances this season and would almost certainly have been given the chance to start one of the final SPFL fixtures if he hadn’t been captaining the Scotland u-17 side at the European Championship Finals in Croatia.
Despite the pressure and expectations to succeed in the Champions League Rodgers is determined to bring through some of the players emerging from the Celtic Academy.
Mikey Johnston and Anthony Ralston made a big impression yesterday with plenty of other prospects waiting for their chance to shine.
Rodgers has kept a close eye on the development of the Academy kids and used Lennoxtown to bridge the gap into first team action.
“The manager talks to me and helps me a lot,” Aitchison explained in The Sun. “I’m happy to leave it in his hands.
“You only have to look at what he’s done for young players like Raheem Sterling. I’ve total belief he’ll help me get to that level.
“The Under-20 staff have helped push me on, especially Chris McCart, but Kolo Toure and Scott Brown have been massive for me as well.
“When I train with them, I just feel comfortable.
“When I’m with the first team they’re all very helpful. Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths were great, and Kolo was showing me how to catch the defender’s eye.
“As soon as he told me that, I’m sure I nutmegged him! He’s played alongside the likes of Thierry Henry so for him to be helping me is incredible.”
Aitchison has already picked up Glasgow Cup and SFA Youth Cup winners medals and could be in line for a place on the bench at the Scottish Cup Final if Moussa Dembele fails to recover from injury.