This time last year Brendan Rodgers was picking what match he would give Michael Johnston and Anthony Ralston their first top team start in.
Both players responded well to playing against St Johnstone with only injuries halting their progress this season.
As recently as the weekend Rodgers was telling the Daily Mail about his enjoyment of developing young players rather than working in the six match cycle that can claim the head of most EPL bosses.
The former Reading and Chelsea youth boss keeps a close eye on what is going on below first team level with every training session videoed and players that impress getting brought in for top team training.
With the examples of Kieran Tierney, James Forrest and Callum McGregor to aim at there are a number of players at various age groups ready and waiting to get their chance.
Karamoko Dembele is still a little way away but in the Scotland u-19 squad currently playing in Germany there are five top prospects all capable of following the Tierney route to the top.
JACK AITCHISON
Making your debut, scoring with your first touch, entering the record books as the club’s youngest goalscorer all bring expectations.
Earlier this year Jack had to deal with the sudden death of his father, George and there is no telling what sort of impact that will have on a teenager.
Since the turn of the year he has been a regular scorer in the Development League but there are three highly rated strikers ahead of him in the queue for a first team place.
Going out on loan to a leading Championship side next season looks like the next step in his career with strikers judged on goals he plays in the toughest and most demanding position.
STEPHEN WELSH
Shows a great maturity in his play and recently signed an extended contract keeping him with Celtic until 2020.
Playing at sweeper he rarely needs to make the last gasp dramatic tackle preferring the interception and is always calm on the ball.
Scotland duty can be spent playing at right-back but there’s little doubt that his best position is in the middle of defence, breaking up attacks and starting things up from the back.
ROBBIE DEAS
A commanding left sided central defender with real leadership qualities.
He has handled the step up in age groups with ease and has captained the Celtic Development League side a couple of times this season.
Like Welsh he sometimes gets played at full-back but is far more effective playing in the middle with little getting past him in the air.
DANIEL CHURCH
A real prospect playing at left-back but capable of impressing in a number of positions including central midfield.
He missed the start of this season through injury but has been close to his best over the last couple of weeks.
Church has the same attacking instincts as Tierney, should that incredible offer that is floated every couple of months for the bhoy from Wishaw finally arrive then the replacement could very well already be at the club.
WALLACE DUFFY
Seems capable of playing anywhere across the back four but looks to have the makings of a powerful centre half.
As well as enjoying the physical side of defending he breaks powerfully from the back in a Roy Aitken style.
Getting out on loan to a Championship side next season should see his game progress with the benefit of having had good European experience with Celtic.
KERR MCINROY
A real aggressive box-to-box midfielder- the type that the modern manager loves to work with. As a bonus he has an eye for a long range shot at goal.
Midway through last season he was fast tracked into the Development League side as a 16 year old and took to it like a natural.
He got a taste of first team football in the pre-season friiendly against Lyon and was on the bench for the recent Premiership match against St Johnstone- a competitive first team debut can’t be too far away.