We profile five of Celtic’s biggest hopes for the future – Jack Aitchison, Aiden Nesbitt, Jamie McCart, Calvin Miller and Anthony Ralston.
Kieran Tierney is a fine example of Celtic’s youth development
In recent times the likes of James Forrest, Liam Henderson, Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney have all graduated from Celtic’s youth and development squads and made a significant number of appearances for the Bhoys.
Like his predecessors, current Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers also has an exciting group of youthful talents to nurture over the coming years.
Here are five potential starlets on course for successful careers at Celtic Park:
Jack Aitchison
Celtic’s Jack Aitchison became Celtic’s youngest ever goalscorer with this strike against Motherwell
Jack Aitchison is Celtic’s youngest ever player and youngest ever goalscorer, having made his debut aged 16 years and 71 days. To complete the dream debut, Aitchison scored with his first touch as a Celtic player after coming off the Celtic Park bench to complete a 7-0 victory over Motherwell during the final game of the 2015-16 season.
Celtic’s number 76 has represented Scotland at Under-16 and Under-17 level and was instrumental in Celtic’s Under-17’s 4-0 Glasgow Cup victory over city rivals Rangers – just one month before his record breaking feat against Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.
Aiden Nesbitt
Aidan Nesbitt scores for Celtic
Midfielder Aidan Nesbitt is another future ‘one-to-watch’ for Brendan Rodgers and the Celtic faithful. Nesbitt, a product of the Celtic youth academy, was named in the UEFA European Championship Under 17 team of the tournament in 2014 as a result of his impressive performances for Scotland.
The highly-rated 19-year-old is currently in his second loan spell away from Celtic Park and is gaining valuable first team experience at Greenock Morton. Earlier in 2016 Nesbitt made seven Scottish Premiership appearances for Partick Thistle, including being awarded man-of-the-match on his debut against St Johnstone.
Nesbitt was named Celtic’s academy player of the year for 2015-16 and has recently been selected in the Scotland Under 21 squad.
Jamie McCart
Chelsea’s Kasey Palmer in action against Celtic’s Jamie McCart (L)
Jamie McCart is another promising Celtic youth academy product who has risen through the ranks. McCart is a clam, methodical defender who has represented Scotland to Under-19 level. The 19-year old made his Celtic first-team debut as a substitute against Motherwell in an August 2016 Scottish League Cup tie.
Calvin Miller
Celtic’s Calvin Miller celebrates after winning the Victory Shield with Scotland
Calvin Miller is yet to make his Celtic first team debut but is viewed as a potential star of the future. Miller is a prolific goal scorer at youth level and has represented Scotland from Under-15 to Under-19s. The front man has impressed Celtic Under-20 coach Tommy McIntyre so far this season, so perhaps a first-team appearance for the 18-year-old may be on the horizon.
Anthony Ralston
Celtic’s Anthony Ralston
Anthony Ralston is another Hoops starlet to benefit from first team experience via a loan spell, as the promising defender spent ten games with Queen’s Park last season. Shortly after his return, Ralston made his Celtic debut against St Johnstone in May 2016, aged just 17. The right-back was recently rewarded with a three year contract extension at Celtic Park and will hope to put recent injuries behind him in an attempt to forge a career with the Bhoys.
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