CELTIC Under-17 coach Michael O’Halloran believes his Glasgow Cup-winning kids will have caught the eye of Brendan Rodgers after their 2-1 success over their Ibrox counterparts in last night’s Final at Firhill.
The Hoops lifted the silverware for the fourth consecutive season with goals in each half from Ewen Henderson and Jack Aitchison, who, of course, has already sampled first team football under the Irishman this season.
And O’Halloran reckons he is the inspiration for the rest of the Lennoxtown hopefuls.
He said: “There are a number of the boys who have trained with the first team and a few that have played for the Development Squad.
“They are accustomed to being there in the first team environment, which is good.
“Jack has been there and he is the recognised player that has played for the first team.
“That is the ultimate goal for the boys, to get in the first team and that is what development is about.
“I am delighted. This is the fourth year that we have won the Glasgow Cup and I believe it is the first goal that we have lost.
“This is the icing on the cake and a bonus for us. Ultimately, our aim is to try and push the boys on as far as they can.
“First team is the ultimate for them and we have got a manager who is very pro-youth.
“He wants to promote the young players, he wants to see them getting into the first team, so, hopefully, there is an opportunity for a few of them to at least go back up and train with them again.”
Rodgers was in the Firhill stand to see his Celtic colts emerge victorious and Aitchison was the centre of attention again with an excellent winning goal.
The teenager was introduced to the top side in the last league game of Ronny Deila”s reign and scored in the 7-0 win over Motherwell.
Aitchison made a substitute appearance in the recent 1-1 draw against Partick Thistle at Parkhead.
