Mackay-steven is savouring the chance to kick on at Celtic

● After nearly two years on the fringes, winger determined to follow Armstrong’s progress to the heart of the first team

On being handed a Celtic team-sheet that showed the hosts were far from at fullstrength, Dundee might well have sniffed a chance of securing a first win at Parkhead since 2001.

It was still a long shot of course. Celtic haven’t been beaten at home by domestic opposition this year – and that remains the case after Brendan Rodgers’ slightly unfamiliar looking side managed to avoid messing up a sequence of league wins that has now stretched to 11.

Gary Mackay-steven, pictured, was one of five changes made by Rodgers, coming into the side for only his second start of the season and responding well to the urging of his friend and skipper for the day, Stuart Armstrong.

The pair arrived from Dundee United two years ago in February and while at one stage it seemed as if both were finding the step up to be beyond them, there are signs that Mackay-steven could follow Armstrong’s lead by becoming a valuable contributor.

He and fellow fringe player Ryan Christie patrolled the flanks against Dundee, Mackay-steven making way for the returning Scott Sinclair as the home fans were in the midst of their now traditional 67th-minute lights display.

The visitors began their very nearly successful attempt at a comeback shortly afterwards when Marcus Haber cut the deficit to one after goals from Leigh Griffiths, with a trademark free-kick, and Nir Bitton had seemingly put the game beyond Dundee.

But Celtic prevailed after substitutefaissalelbakhtaoui blazed high over the bar when through on goal with two minutes left and just Craig Gordon to beat.

And now Mackay-steven, pictured right, hopes to continue playing a part as Celtic continue a packed festive schedule against Partick Thistle tomorrow night. He’s aware of the significance of the approaching day in February when he reaches the second anniversary of signing for Celtic. He has made only 27 league appearances, many of them as substitute, with his progress hampered by injury. The most recent of these ailments, an ankle problem, saw him miss a large part of preseason training. That’s rarely a recipe for forcing one’s way into the plans of a new manager. There was even talk of Mackay-steven being sent out on loan, possibly to Ross County, earlier this season.

“I missed pre-season and a large chunk of the season when I wasn’t training so now I’m just fully back and buying into the manager’s ideas of what he wants, and getting my own levels up,” he explained. “Patience is key here. We have a lot of competition in a lot of positions and everyone who steps in can do a job. You just need to be patient and take your chance when it comes.”

There’s inspiration to be had from the incremental steps taken by Armstrong, from bit-part player to mainstay and, temporarily, at least, to captain. “He was patient earlier on in the season and when he got his chance he took it and in the last few games he’s been amazing for us,” noted Mackay-steven. “He’s chipped in with goals and assists and he’s probably been one of our best players. He’s really kicked on and I’m absolutely delighted for him.” But the 26-year-old winger knows it’s down to him to ensure he joins Armstrong in Rodgers’ first-team plans on a regular basis. He rejects any notion that the move to Celtic cowed him to the extent he has been unable to reproduce the swashbuckling form that saw him earn a move to Parkhead in the first place.

“You can’t not enjoy playing for a club like this, it’s amazing every day,” he said. “It’s an