His signing didn’t even merit an official announcement from Celtic but Ciaran Dickson seems like a young player in a rush to push his first team claims.
Joey Dawson and Bosun Lawal got the treatment when they were signed specifically to play in the Lowland League but Dickson looks like his spell at that level could be brief.
Earlier this year Steven Gerrard provided Dickson with a three year contract, recognition for making the bench for four Europa League ties and a top team debut in the Betfred Cup win away to Falkirk.
For whatever reasons that deal was cancelled in the summer, the teenager with Scotland caps at u-16, u-17, u-18 and u-19 levels became a free agent. On the quiet Celtic completed business.
26 seconds Dickson hits the bar
45 seconds, Lawal shot over the line?
1 minute, Dickson scores
1 min 45 seconds, excellent striking work from Adam Brooks
His debut goal against Morton owed more to a butter-fingered keeper than his own eye for goal but last night he stepped his game up a level.
Anchoring midfield with McKenzie Carse, Dickson knows the times to move forward, instinctively becoming a goal threat.
Last night’s opener might have looked simple or easy but it was the run deep into the penalty box as Bruno Davidson came in from the left that was vital.
At surface level it is hard to see players propelling themselves from the Lowland League into Ange Postecoglou’s first team plans but Dickson joined Celtic in unique circumstances and could make that leap.
Ismaila Soro has looked unconvincing this season, picking up pointless bookings, adding little to the promise that he showed when he came into the team last December. With two 15 minute run-outs since joining the club concerns remain about the fitness of James McCarthy.
Steven Welsh, Anthony Ralston and Adam Montgomery have opened the door, Dickson could be the next to convert potential into first team appearances.
