Celtic youngster Nesbitt hails John Collins’ influence

Aidan Nesbitt has hailed the influence of John Collins on his young career and is delighted with his philosophy on youth players.

The striker praised Collins ahead of Scotland’s Under-19’s three international games against Latvia, Slovenia and Ireland for next summer’s finals in Germany.

While the 18-year-old is too young to remember john Collins in his playing days, he does regard him very highly from what he has seen.

As quoted by the Daily Record the young striker said:

You hear people talk about John and what a quality player he was.

I’m too young to remember him playing but I know all about his career.

He played for Celtic, went to Monaco and then England.

Manager Ronny Deila and John Collins have helped bring through youth players in their short time in charge at the club, partly due to their insistence of youth players training with the first-team.

This helps with the player’s development and makes the transition from the youth squads to the senior team, much easier.

John helps me a lot. He had an amazing career and knows what it takes to get to the top level. He’s played a big part in me coming on leaps and bounds.

Obviously, the gaffer is also excellent with the young boys. Both him and John have taken me into first-team training. They want to take away that divide that’s sometimes there between the youths and first team.

Nesbitt made his debut for Celtic in a brief substitute appearance earlier this season against Raith Rovers, but already feels part of the team due to Collins and Deila’s philosophy.

The level is a lot higher but you get used to it and it has definitely helped me become a better player.

You start to think that you’re part of the Celtic squad and that’s a big thing.