'The kid was tremendous'; Celtic prospect Scott Robertson wows Gillingham boss in first loan start

By John McGinley

September 16, 2020

Gillingham boss Steve Evans has been raving about Celtic midfielder Scott Robertson after the player impressed in his first start since making the switch to England on loan, Kent Online reports.

Robertson helped the Gills to a Carabao Cup shock against Championship side Coventry City on Tuesday night, playing the entire 90 minutes and netting in the subsequent penalty shoot-out after an initial 1-1 draw.

Evans could barely contain his praise for the 19-year-old after the match, telling Kent Online: “He is a kid in a man’s body and I am pleased we got him.

“I thought the kid was tremendous, as the game went on he looked a proper player and you can understand why he has played in the Celtic first team when you see him play like that. He and a few others dragged us back into the cup tie.

“The biggest thing I could say about him was that he could have played in that Coventry side and in Mark Robins’ first XI, he was outstanding from start to finish.

“The longer the game went the better he got. He burst forward and showed different parts to his game.”

Celtic midfielder Scott Robertson / (Photo by Paul Ursachi/MB Media/Getty Images)

The Gillingham boss was clearly delighted but also has some useful feedback for manager Neil Lennon, specifically highlighting that Robertson could have been a bit sharper and quicker on the ball at times.

Still for a teenager playing in his first senior knockout cup game, down in England, against a higher calibre of opponent, it was some start.

It’s even more impressive when you consider it was his first competitive start for any club since December 2019.

Hopefully this now solidifies his status in Evans’ first-team and he goes on to play regularly in League One.

If the Celtic-daft manager reckons Robertson is already performing at a Championship level then the signs are good on that front.

Celtic midfielder Scott Robertson / (Photo by Paul Ursachi/MB Media/Getty Images)

This has shades of Callum McGregor’s move to Notts County prior to bursting into the Bhoys senior side.

If Robertson turns out half as good as him, we’re onto a winner.

Still, there’s a long way to go and the Celtic youngster now has to focus and work as hard as ever.

League One is a tough, physical league and should provide plenty of challenge over the next few months.

In other news, Neil Lennon has provided a Celtic transfer update.