Celtic have three Scottish Premiership games remaining and it is about time Calvin Miller was handed his second first-team appearance under Brendan Rodgers.
When 18-year-old duo Anthony Ralston (above) and Michael Johnstone were handed surprise starts in Celtic’s 4-1 hammering of St Johnstone on Saturday, you could perhaps forgive Calvin Miller for wondering why he wasn’t given his chance in the spotlight.
The left-back turned goal-scoring winger was handed his senior bow by Brendan Rodgers against Partick Thistle in December. But, six months on, he is yet to make a follow-up appearance in Celtic colours – despite his superb performances for the Champions’ academy side.
Like Rodgers’ all-conquering first-team, the club’s reserves also appear to have inherited that handy winning mentality. In last week’s 3-0 battering of Rangers in the Youth Cup final, Miller netted twice from the left-wing to maintain his surprisingly prolific purple patch.
And it appears that the logical next step is for the 19-year-old to target a place in Rodgers’ first-team plans. Although the Northern Irishman has used him sparingly this far, it’s clear that he has big plans for the versatile Miller.
‘Outstanding’
In fact, he even went as far as to compare him to England international left-back Ryan Bertrand (below, right)– a player Rodgers helped develop during his time in charge of Chelsea’s academy.
“He’s got some outstanding qualities and can offer the club something going forward,” Rodgers said after Miller’s debut in late 2016, as reported by STV.
Celtic may be spoiled for choice at left-back with long-serving Emilio Izaguirre signing on for another year to act as back up to rising star Kieran Tierney.
However, with three games left to go in a league campaign that Celtic wrapped up over a month ago, Rodgers should use this time to build for the future and give the club’s brightest young prospects a chance to shine.
Miller is certainly deserving of another opportunity.
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