5 next generation Celtic stars as Brendan Rodgers is urged to raid the youths over Scottish Cup Final sweats
It's all about the Treble for Celtic now as they gear up for the Scottish Cup Final on May 24 with only a couple of stops on the victory lap remaining in the league.
Hoops fans are desperate to complete the clean sweep and the call is now for Brendan Rodgers to dig out the cotton wool to keep his squad safe for the big one.
The Celtic boss is already resigned to being without Jota for the end-of-season showpiece against Aberdeen, with the wide man ruled out until 2026.
And he's got some other concerns too, with Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers needing the kid gloves treatment in the coming weeks.
There are also worries about Nicholas Kuhn after the German missed the Rangers stalemate at Ibrox last weekend and punters don't even want to consider the possibility of not having the likes of player of the year Daizen Maeda or skipper Callum McGregor at Hampden.
A fair few supporters now believe this is the right time to have a look at some of the young prospects at the club.
Not that many will know who they are.
It's been a stunning campaign for Celtic but the one thing missing has been the emergence of talent from the Lennoxtown academy.
The Hoops have had a hard core of home grown stars over the years, McGregor, James Forrest and Tony Ralston have been mainstays, comeback kid Kieran Tierney before and then going back to aces such as Shaun Maloney, Aiden McGeady, Stephen McManus, John Kennedy, Ross Wallace and so on.
But the production line has dried up in recent years. Top youngsters are leaving the club even before they get barely a sniff of the first team – with Daniel Cummings the latest to follow the Ben Doak road out of Parkhead.
It's a trend that is causing concern for supporters who have adopted heroes from all around the world, but crave a hometown lad coming through the ranks.
Rodgers has given a couple a taste, but who could the Celtic gaffer turn to in these remaining games – starting against Hibs on Saturday – and who might turn out to be stars of the future?
Francis Turley
Rodgers raved about Irish midfielder Turley in pre-season and hinted the 19-year-old could become part of his first-team plans.
He's been in and around the seniors most of the term but managed just a couple of minutes of top team action as a late sub in the 3-0 win at St Mirren back in August.
The former Glentoran youngster has been a major part of the B team, has a lovely touch and killer pass on him.
It might be time for another dip into the first team this weekend.
Mitchell Robertson
The centre back is the B team skipper and is another one the club reckon has the tools to go to the top and is learning his craft under Stephen McManus.
Has looked the part in encounters beyond Scotland, such as the UEFA Youth League and the Premier League International Cup.
Celts have a whack of centre halves right now but no one is really nailing down the role next to Carter-Vickers. There's fellow youngster Dane Murray – who was involved under Ange Postecoglou – but Robertson could be next in line.
Jude Bonnar
Celtic coaches have been talking up this midfielder almost since he walked through the door as a seven year-old.
Now 19, Bonnar is a key man for the B team and loves to get on the ball and dictate play.
It's an area of the pitch where Celts have an abundance of riches with McGregor, Reo Hatate, Arne Engels, Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan.
But Bonnar has already had a small sample of pitch time, is banging on the door and would be worth a look in the final dead rubbers.
Colby Donovan
The right back was a stand-out in Celtic's pre-season tour of America last summer and didn't look out of place against top level opposition like Chelsea and DC United.
He also looked the part in the UEFA Youth League campaign. Donovan is a big lad with a great touch, he could handle the physicality of the first team and will be learning a ton from Johnston, and Ralston, who has shown the way from the youth ranks to the senior side.
Sean McArdle
The 17-year-old was a surprise name on the bench at Ibrox last weekend and it got tongues wagging.
McArdle is a hot prospect and made a big impact in the UEFA Youth League with a late leveller against Lazio.
The kid can play in a number of roles, either in midfield or out wide, where he has a turn of pace and a good delivery on him.
McArdle has emerged as a main man in the under 19s and now B team and with Rodgers losing wide man Jota, there may be a chance for the attacker to get his chance.
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