'The Young Players Involved Did So Well'

CHRIS Davies has hailed the work of the Celtic Youth Academy after a host of Hoops youngsters starred in Saturday’s 2-0 league victory away to Kilmarnock.

- Mark Henderson

Five home-grown players were in Brendan Rodgers’ starting XI at Rugby Park, with 20-year-old Kieran Tierney turning in another assured showing in central-defence and teenagers Anthony Ralston and Calvin Miller acquitting themselves brilliantly in the full-back positions.

Both goals from the Bhoys, meanwhile, came from Academy graduates James Forrest and Callum McGregor.

And the Celtic assistant manager told the View that he, Brendan Rodgers and the rest of the backroom staff were delighted at how the club’s young talent was being nurtured.

“We won, and kept a clean sheet against Kilmarnock but the young players involved did so well, and that was probably the highlight,” said the Englishman in an exclusive interview.

“Now we are in a position where we feel we can make changes, put young players in and we are confident they are going to play at a high level. It’s a big credit to the Academy at the players being produced, and those who have graduated from the Academy.

“All of the staff who have worked with them and have helped develop them over the years should be proud to see the boys getting games. Players such as Ralston, Miller and KT, who we all know is doing really well, while both goalscorers were from the Academy as well in Forrest and McGregor. It was a special weekend for the Academy, and the people there should be really proud of the work they have done over the years.”

He added: “First of all, the most important thing is having the right mentality and that is one of the greatest things I have seen in the Academy here.