JACK AITCHISON shot himself into Celtic history books when he scored in the 7-0 win over Motherwell at Parkhead on May 15 2016.
At 16 years and 71 days old, the bright prospect became the club’s youngest player in a competitive game – and marked the occasion with a goal with his first touch.
Ronny Deila, in his last match as Hoops manager two years after succeeding Neil Lennon, sent on Aitchison for Tom Rogic in the 75th minute and inside 120 seconds the record-breaker swept in a left-foot drive for the seventh goal on Flag Day in the east end of Glasgow as the champions celebrated their fifth successive title.
ONE-HIT WONDER…Jack Aitchison makes history with his goal against Motherwell – his solitary strike for Celtic.
It was all fairytale stuff, but the reality of life now for the forward tipped to be the new Wonder Bhoy is that he is about to become a free agent in just over a month’s time.
Aitchison joined Saturday’s opponents Motherwell, coincidentaly the team against whom he launched his name into the headlines, on a short-term deal from Barnsley just before January’s transfer deadline.
The contract expires at the end of the season and the striker, now 23, could be set adrift after only three starts in seven appearances for the Fir Park club.
He has yet to score a goal since his arrival and was a second-half substitute last weekend when the team crashed 2-1 at home to relegation-threatened Dundee United.
COME IN No.99…Jack Aitchison’s number was up shortly after making Hoops history.
Aitchison had hoped to revive his career at the Lanarkshire outfit and ex-boss Steven Hammell had high hopes for the former Scotland Under-19 raider.
However, the Well gaffer was sacked following the Scottish Cup exit at Raith Rovers in February and Stuart Kettlewell is now in charge.
Aitchison made only two more appearances for Celtic after his spectacular introduction – both as a substitute – and had loan spells at Dumbarton, Alloa and Forest Green Rovers before signing a permanent deal at Barnsley in 2020.
He scored three goals in 20 outings for the third-tier club and also had temporary spells at Stevenage and Forest Green before moving back to Scotland at the turn of the year.
“None of it has sunk in yet – it’s brilliant.”
Ironically, Aitchison could play at the same venue on Saturday, but the circumstances will be dramatically different.
