Rising star Daniel Kelly is the latest player to speak to Celtic TV in Portugal.
The Hoops first-team squad are in the Algarve, where they will will face Primeira Liga outfit Portimonense later on Wednesday.
The likes of Callum McGregor, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate could all feature in the fixture but Celtic‘s stars of the future are likely to be given a run-out too.
Kelly certainly fits in to that category and it is notable that the club have him in front of the mic after the likes of Carl Starfelt and Kyogo Furuhashi earlier in the week. It’s definitely a turn from the first-team stars.
Not a great deal is known about Kelly. But he is 17-years-old, highly rated, and signed his first professional contract in 2022 amid links to Liverpool and Benfica.
“I know, thanks very much, appreciate it,” he said, with a big smile after being congratulated on completing his first interview. (Celtic TV)
“Training has been brilliant. Under the new manager, the way he trains, the way we do everything is different which is good.
“I’m grateful to get the opportunity [to train with the first-team]. We’ve been working hard since we came back in and we’re getting the rewards.”
It will be interesting to see what youngsters are given an opportunity by Brendan Rodgers during pre-season and beyond.
The Hoops boss gave a fair few players chances in his first spell at the club, with the likes of Mikey Johnston, Anthony Ralston and Calvin Miller all introduced to the first-team.
Things may be slightly different at Celtic now with the league a tougher fight. But there is no reason why B team players can’t make the step up from time to time.
Last season, Bosun Lawal, Ben Summers and Rocco Vata appeared to be the closest to the first-team. Kelly and co. may offer an additional challenge this year.
In other news, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi has found her next club
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