Three years ago Celtic’s u-17 squad, backed up by a couple of players from the u-16 side took part in the Loch Lomond Trophy staged at Stirling University.
Yesterday five of those players were involved in an impressive first team win over Standard Liege.
At every age level there are success stories and casualties but as Mikey Johnston clipped the ball over the Liege keeper one player looks to have a better than even chance of success.
In the final of the Loch Lomond Trophy Johnston scored in the 4-0 win over Sheffield United but it was Ciaran Diver, just turned 15 at the time that made the Yorkshire side suffer with a hat-trick.
Diver hurt Sheffield in the air, they had no answer to his heading ability. The last three years have been tougher for him including a year out injured but a couple of goals in the Development League at the end of last season suggest that he is still on course. At the age of 18 the season ahead will be highly important.
Playing in the centre of midfield against Sheffield United was Ewan Henderson who put down another marker of his progress during his appearance against Standard Liege.
Ewan, who has all of his big brother Liam’s mannerisms, turned 18 in March has an extra gear in pace that has been recognised and played briefly as a striker for the first team in the recent win over Sparta Prague.
Stephen Welsh has quietly played his way into contention at the back was a substitute in the final of the Loch Lomond trophy.
In the first half of the 15/16 season he played at right-back for the u-17’s before moving in to sweeper where he played yesterday alongside Marvin Compper. At the age of 18 his play belies his years.
On the bench yesterday Daniel Church and Kerr McInroy were joined by Kundai Benyu.
In the final of the Loch Lomond Trophy Church played at left back. Last season was virtually written off due to injury but he showed enough in a handful of Development League appearances to suggest that he can accelerate his development this season.
McInroy has already kicked on, became a Development League regular last season and was named as a first team substitute in the February draw with St Johnstone.
There are no rules or regulations in youth development, a pre-season match is completely different to a must-win first team game but Johnston, Henderson, Welsh, McInroy and Church are still on course to catch up on the medal collections of Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor and James Forrest.
CLICK HERE for report on Loch Lomond Trophy final.
CLICK HERE for Michael O’Halloran Q and A