CELTIC kid Regan Hendry reckons Calvin Miller’s elevation to first team status was an inspiration in the development side’s 2-0 win over St Johnstone at the Excelsior Stadium last night.
Just moments after the end of the game at Airdrie’s ground – where Brendan Rodgers’ men will take on Albion Rovers in the Scottish Cup next month – Miller was making his debut in the 1-0 victory over Partick Thistle.
Hendry, whose early deflected strike opened the scoring against the Saints, admitted his 18-year-old team-mate’s baptism in the Premiership acted as incentive to follow him into the top side.
He told the official Celtic website: “It was quite surprising for us, but a very good thing. It gives us all hope.
“The manager came in and he said he wanted to promote youth players and he has done that and it’s all about taking the chance when you are given it.
“Calvin has been doing well and he deserves it. We will all be looking towards that now as we all want to be doing what he is doing right now.
“We had a meeting with the manager recently where he talked about how he wanted to promote the youth players into the first team as much as he can.
“That is obviously encouraging for us to hear and he also has a reputation for playing young players.”
Attacking midfielder Hendry, 18, added: “I felt quite good out there and it was probably the best I have played for a while.
“I just need to keep myself in the game and influence it as much as I can. You saw Calvin start for the first time and, hopefully, a couple more of us will get the chance, as well.”
