Brendan Rodgers named the Celtic youngster in a senior squad for the first time.
Brendan Rodgers surprised Celtic fans on Sunday by naming Armstrong Oko-Flex in his matchday squad for the 1-0 win at Kilmarnock.
The 16-year-old joined Celtic in September [official website] but is yet to make his debut for the Hoops.
The former Arsenal gem has been used mainly in the development side so far, but Rodgers brought him to Rugby Park and gave him the experience of being on the bench for a senior game.
Oko-Flex, an England youth international, didn’t get on the field, but the teenage prodigy believes it’s a step in the right direction.
Here’s how he reacted to the promotion on Twitter:
Oko-Flex is only two years younger than Timothy Weah, who has been ripping it up for Rodgers since joining Celtic on a half-season loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
Two years is a lot in football terms, with Weah, a USA international, the far more experienced player, but it does illustrate that the Northern Irish manager isn’t afraid to use young players if they’re good enough.
And proving that he is good enough will remain Oko-Flex’s goal, even more so after coming so close to a debut.
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