Scott Robertson already has his eyes fixated on his summer Celtic return as he looks to “hit the ground running” next season.
The Lennoxtown graduate has had a hectic year away from Parkhead as he tastes regular senior football for the first time.
Robertson started the campaign off with Gillingham in League One. He was then recalled in January despite getting regular minutes under Steve Evans. The midfielder was then sent to Doncaster Rovers, also of League One, only a couple of weeks later.
Not two months after moving to Doncaster, however, did Robertson see manager Darren Moore leave to join Sheffield Wednesday. His game-time has since been staggered by interim boss Andy Butler. But even so, he’s already got his sights set on coming back to Parkhead and making a success of it.
As quoted by the Daily Record, Robertson said: “There will be a new man in charge when I go back and it’s important I’m in the best shape possible to impress him. Hopefully I’ll get a few games in pre-season and I’ll take it from there. You look at how well Stephen Welsh has done, he’s been brilliant and is an example of what can happen.
“It’s been great to get games and be involved at a decent level. The big one for me was looking at Callum at Notts County early in his career and how that propelled him into things at Celtic when he returned.
“I took a lot of inspiration from the way he has thrived. One of my goals when I arrived here was to make the same sort of impact he had on this league. Hopefully I’ve done that and can go back to Celtic and hit the ground running.”
A monumental task now awaits Scott Robertson this summer; Celtic return will be tough work
Robertson’s one senior Celtic appearance against Cluj came under Neil Lennon. It was clear how highly rated he was in the eyes of the former gaffer. Especially after being tied down on a recent long-term contract.
It means he’s going to start on the same base as everyone else at the club when the new manager arrives. Chances are, if we’re being frank, that he has no idea about Robertson and what he may be capable of. It’s essential that the on-loan Doncaster star shows it in the summer.
But he won’t be the only one returning to Glasgow and looking to claim a midfield spot. The likes of Kerr McInroy and Luca Connell are also out on loan and will have their sights set on impressing the new manager. Even Ewan Henderson, who’s out with Dundee and can play in the centre, will be sensing an opportunity. Liam Shaw is arriving from Sheffield Wednesday too.
That’s not taking into consideration any midfield additions the new manager brings in. Given Scott Brown will be leaving, a gap will open up for a replacement. Ismaila Soro, as things stand, looks best place to take it.
So it’s going to be a battle royal to see who can break their way into the new manager’s plans. With a bit of luck, whoever is appointed has a strong belief in integrating youth players through the academy.
That’s the only way Robertson will get his opportunity. But even at the tender age of only 19, you get the feeling this coming pre-season is a huge one for him.
In other news, we take a look at the recent Celtic signing who owes us a Glasgow Derby performance after two costly errors last month.
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