I knew my Deas were numbered as youth at Celtic
Kilmarnock’s Robbie Deas realised early on that if he was going to achieve his ambition of being capped by Scotland it wouldn’t be as a Celtic defender.
Deas came through the ranks at Lennoxtown but didn’t make the grade with the Hoops.
The centre-back decided instead to take the scenic route to the top and it has paid off with him now starring in the top flight for Derek McInnes’ side.
The 23-year-old has worn the dark blue jersey at Under-19 and Under-21 levels and chose to join Killie in the summer to boost his international hopes.
Deas could come up against his old Celtic youth team pal Mikey Johnston at Rugby Park this afternoon and he’s thrilled Brendan Rodgers has handed the winger another chance to prove himself.
The Killie star said: “I’m delighted for Mikey and not even remotely shocked. He’s one of the best individuals I’ve played alongside.
“It’s tremendous he has been given another firstteam run at Celtic although I hope he doesn’t do well this weekend.
“I played and trained with some superb players when I was at Celtic – and Mikey was one of them.
“I didn’t really have much contact with Brendan. But by the time I reached the final year of my deal I knew I was going to have to play my football elsewhere.
“I went out on loan to Cowdenbeath then Alloa before signing a permanent contract with Inverness.
“I haven’t regretted my decisions. I’ve put a lot of thought into my career. I’ve learned a lot and played under g rea t manager s and with players who have made me better. I feel I’ve earned my chance to play in the Premiership and hope I can prove everyone right.
“The time was right for me to move on.
“It’s about fine margins when it comes to breaking into the first team.”
The connections with Celtic don’t end there.
He was in the Inverness side that lost the Scottish Cup Final to Ange Postecoglou’s Treble winners in his final game for the Highlanders six months ago.
And he was par t of McInnes’ Killie team that knocked Rodgers’ side out of the Viaplay Cup in August.
Now he’s aiming for a similar success in today’s High Noon shoot-out.
He said: “Our home record speaks for itself and the knowledge we’ve already beaten Celtic and Rangers at Rugby Park this season gives us the belief we can go and do it again.
“We’re hard to beat here and hopeful ly that wi l l continue this weekend.
“As a defender I take a lot of pride in clean sheets – it’s the equivalent of scoring a goal, I suppose.
“We’re pleased to be doing well but there’s still room for improvement.
“How good we are at the back is down to the team the manager has built and the competition for places plays a part as well.
“Training is great every day and that all comes from the manager.
“We haven’t just beaten the Old Firm here but we’ve shut them out too.
“Those two 1- 0 wins were massive for us but this will be different. Celtic weren’t doing so well then but they are scoring a lot more now so we mu s t replicate what we did in the las t match.”