Plentyofreasonstobeexcited bykidsduringfestiveperiod

AS we enter the season of goodwill, there are real reasons for Celtic fans to be cheerful about the rude health of the club’s youth set-up, and that was evident in the win over Partick Thistle on Wednesday night.

In an otherwise largely unremarkable evening, the three youngest players in the Hoops were the ones who caught the eye.

It is easy to forget that Kieran Tierney is only 20, and we know all about what he can do.

It was nice to see him show his strength of character by bouncing back from a rare dip in performance at Tynecastle, and he even popped up with a goal, which he took exceptionally well.

In the centre of defence, I thought Kristoffer Ajer did very well, despite not being tested on too many occasions by lone striker Miles Storey for Thistle.

Anything that came his way he dealt with well enough, but it was his use of the ball from the back that particularly impressed me, and I thought he showed a nice range of passing, particularly when he was stepping out with the ball and playing it forward.

Mikey Johnston is another who has really impressed me whenever I’ve seen him, and he didn’t disappoint during his cameo on Wednesday evening. He looks like one of those confident types of player who isn’t afraid to take people on, and he is one who gets fans excited. I’m sure I’m not alone in being intrigued as to he comes along.

So, it is pleasing that there is now a bit of depth coming through from the youth ranks. This season it has really shown, and credit must got to the youngsters themselves, but it also partly down to the fact that Brendan Rodgers is willing to give them a go. That must provide them with a huge incentive to dedicate themselves to improving.

And a quick word too on Stuart Armstrong, the other goalscorer during the week. I think the contractual issues surrounding him earlier this season certainly affected his form, but his overall game in the Partick Thistle match was better, and his goal was fantastic.

That will give him a boost, and hopefully he can get back somewhere near the fine form we saw this time last season.