CELTIC’S determination to go through the season undefeated may not be good news for everyone at the club. Brendan Rodgers’ side could wrap up their sixth successive league title as early as next weekend, an event that usually leads to a number of fringe and younger players being given a run-out over the remainder of the campaign. With an unbeaten domestic record still on the line, however, and Rodgers being a notable stickler for a professional attitude at all time, that may mean limited opportunities for those like Jack Aitchison.
The 17 year-old became Celtic’s youngest-ever scorer in a competitive match when he netted in the 7-0 win over Motherwell on the final game of last season, but his first-team outings this season have been limited to a 15-minute substitute’s cameo against Hearts in January in which he won a late penalty that was converted by Scott Sinclair. Like all young and eager talents he would like to play more regularly but is willing to be patient given Celtic are in hot pursuit of a domestic treble.
“It’s up to the gaffer if and when he decides to put the boys in,” he said. “They’ll want to stay unbeaten, but I think he would trust us to do a job. We just need to bide our time. It’s nearly a year since I played and scored against Motherwell but I came on against Hearts in January. I can see that [Rodgers] is looking at me but I need to keep working hard.
“I owe [former manager] Ronny Deila as well for giving me the initial opportunity at such a young age. He was a good guy who talked me through a few things, too. Hopefully I can get more minutes under my belt with Celtic this season and see where it takes me.”
Aitchison, though, continues to learn his trade behind the scenes. As well as Rodgers and his assistant Chris Davies, the forward revealed he has been picking the brains of many of the senior players, including Kolo Toure.
“The manager’s been very good and given me a lot of advice, along with Chris Davies and Kolo Toure,” he added. “It’s good to be involved with big names who have done a lot in their football careers. I can make the most of their experience to improve my own game. From a defensive point of view, Kolo tells me where to stand and move. He’s played in some of the biggest games in football with and against some of the biggest names like Thierry Henry.
“He told me I was one of the best he’d seen so that gives me the belief I can go quite far. He’s great with the younger players. He comes to watch the training and games. The gaffer and Chris Davies are the same.
“Kolo’s had a good career and it says a lot about him that he’s willing to give up his time like that. He’s still the ultimate professional, even at his age and stage of his career. He’s a very nice guy and I think his son’s in the youth system at Celtic so he understands it from that perspective as well. He’s bought into the fact that we’re all a big family really.”
More pressingly for Aitchison is this evening’s Scotland under-17 match against Switzerland in the Paisley 2021 Stadium. After a 6-1 victory over Montenegro, in which Aitchison scored a double, and a 1-0 win over Serbia, the young Scots will qualify for their fourth successive European Championship finals should they avoid defeat to the Swiss.
“It’s one of the strongest teams Scotland’s had in a while,” added Aitchison. “We’re ranked fifth in Europe. We believe and trust in what [head coach] Scot Gemmill asks us to do. He’s smart, knows what he’s doing and has experience in these competitions.
“It’s good to get away and meet some new faces. It refreshes you for going back to your club. I feel like I’ve benefited from training with the first team. A few of the other boys are in the same situation and you can see it’s paying off.”
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