HOME AND AWAY

Loan star Scott Robertson on using first team football experience to better himself as a player

- TONY CONNELLY

SCOTT Robertson made huge strides forward in his Celtic career last year, and appeared to continue his exciting progress in pre-season. Making the decision to go out on loan to Gillingham, then, would not have been an easy one for the teenager.

However, Robertson recognises the value of playing regular first-team football for his development and sees it as his path to success at Celtic.

Robertson has progressed through the youth ranks at Celtic, and his mature and composed performances in the centre of midfield have not gone unnoticed by Neil Lennon. The Celtic manager brought Robertson on the first-team’s pre-season camp ahead of the 2019/20 season, shortly before his 18th birthday.

In December that season, Robertson made his debut in the Hoops senior side with a place in the starting XI for Celtic’s away tie against CFR Cluj in the group stages of the Europa League. It was an excellent display from the youngster who showed he was fully deserving of the opportunity and more than capable of playing at the highest level.

Robertson impressed in Celtic’s pre-season games earlier this year and looked set for more competitive games in green and white. However, at 19-years-old, Robertson felt his best chance of fulfilling his potential and making it at Celtic was to be playing regularly. Keen to see the young talent flourish, Neil Lennon agreed to allow Robertson to go to English League One side Gillingham for a season-long loan spell.

It’s only been a couple of months since Robertson made the move down south but the midfielder is in no doubt he made the right decision and is excited with the progress he has been making.

ONE EYE ON PARADISE