Deila says young stars must look to Tierney and McGregor

Ronny Deila has insisted that Celtic’s youth players can become heroes if they follow the example of Kieran Tierney and Callum McGregor.

Aiden Nesbitt, Leo Fasan and Calvin Miller are all tipped to make the step up to the senior team in the coming years and if they follow their former team-mates example, they stand a very good chance under Deila to play regular first-team football.

It comes after the two Hoops academy players joined the senior team under Deila, the latter signing on a four-and-a-half year contract last year to confirm his future at the club.

Tierney has been the standout player this year along with Leigh Griffiths, and the 18-year-old Bhoyhood fan has dealt with all the pressure that comes with playing at a big club like Celtic.

The young left-back has made 16 starts this season and continues to grow into the role as a very traditional and tenacious defender.

McGregor on the other hand was given his first start under Deila after a successful loan spell at Notts County and went on to make 30 appearances last season.

His versatility to play in right across the Celtic midfield has made him an effective and useful player for Deila in the team this season and has earned his

The Norwegian has continually stated that he believes it is important for the club to source players from their youth academy and develop them.

Deila has acknowledged that Celtic will want to have players from other clubs during the transfer window, however he has also stated that he wants younger players to move into the senior team without being too fearful about it.

As quoted by the Glasgow Evening Times, Deila said:

It is so important for me that we have players like Callum and Kieran in the team, for lots of reasons. But it is more than just that. I think it great for our academy players to look and see that it is possible to play here.

You can come to Celtic and you can make it to the first-team – it is important to see the heroes every day. That is the message we want to put into the academy, that you can make it here. That is also why guys like Charlie [Mulgrew] and Scott [Brown] are so important too.

Charlie came close, went away and came back and these guys are Mr Celtic now. Scott is working with some of our youth players in a coaching environment and keeping that strong Scottish spine is something we always want to do at this club.

The next two games are vital for Celtic’s treble hopes, as a mid-week win against Aberdeen could see them move nine points clear at the top of the table.

Before that however, Celtic face Ross County in the Scottish League Cup semi-final this Sunday and will face either Hibernian or St Johnstone, should they make the final.