I was Barca ball boy with Kieran but I might need a loan move to get a permanent place next to him at Celts

CELTIC had the Quality Street Gang in the 1970s but now they might have the Barcelona Ball Bhoy Band on their hands.

Kenny Dalglish and Davie Hay famously came through the reserves when the Lisbon Lions were conquering Europe.

Times may have changed but another famous night against one of the giants of the continent is proving to be a major inspiration to a new generation of Celtic youngsters.

Kieran Tierney was behind the goal when Tony Watt smashed his sensational winner against Barca in 2012 and he eventually stepped over the white line to become a fans’ favourite.

Mikey Johnston was also on the touchline that night – and he is determined to follow the path taken by his Parkhead pal into the first team.

The winger is a couple of years younger than Tierney and was only a late call-up for ball boy duties against the Spanish big guns.

Johnston watched on in awe but the ringside view of Messi and Co was only the start of his dream.

He took another step at the weekend with a sublime finish in the 4-1 win against Standard Liege and although it was only a friendly it was another special moment for the Scotland youth cap.

Johnston said: “I did the ball boy thing. My biggest night was the win over Barcelona when Watt scored. I was in first year at secondary school – KT was doing it as well that night.

“It was usually the older boys who were picked so I was usually left out but I was buzzing when I got that game.

“I wasn’t picked up by the cameras that night but I did see myself on TV when we played Juventus! It’s a dream to go from that to now scoring at Parkhead.