Cetic can count on young stars, says John Kennedy
John Kennedy admits Brendan Rodgers faces a challenge in satisfying his young Celtic aces with enough game time.
A Hoops line-up featuring five teenagers and skippered by 20-year-old Kieran Tierney beat Kilmarnock 5-0 on Tuesday night.
Rodgers made eight changes for that Betfred Cup match as he demonstrated just how much faith he has in his fresh-faced recruits.
But with established first-team stars set to return against Partick Thistle in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Friday night, Kennedy acknowledged many of the younger players may end up frustrated.
However, the first-team coach assured the Celtic youngsters they will get another chance to show what they can do this season.
Kennedy said: "That can be the challenge, especially at Celtic where we carry a number of international players and a bigger group.
"But with so many games that is the big positive from the youngsters' perspective.
"We're going to be in European competition, we're now through to the next round of the League Cup and there's all the league matches.
"So more and more, especially after the other evening's performance where the manager has now got the trust in the full squad, we now have a group of players all pushing each other and if we need to make changes then so be it.
"It will be harder to resist putting the young lads in now.
"If someone is feeling a bit tight or a bit tired, then we know we can put someone else in who can put in a high level of performance."
Left-back Tierney was switched to a slot on the left side of a back three against Kilmarnock.
It was a similar role to the one he filled for Scotland against England earlier this summer but he took the change in his stride as he strolled through the 5-0 victory.
And Kennedy reckons he is so good he could play anywhere for Rodgers' team.
"I think he can do that right now," Kennedy said, after it was suggested Tierney could have a future in the centre of defence.
"What it comes down to with Brendan here and Gordon (Strachan) at Scotland is trust. You have got a young player there who has 100 per cent trust from his manager.
"Wherever he plays on the pitch, they trust him 100 per cent.
"That's the reason why they have switched him positions. The easiest thing is to put a natural player in that position but you put players on the pitch that you trust and that's what Kieran has.
"He can play wherever. He's a top player.