Hot-shot Shahdon Winchester has fired himself into contention for a move to Celtic after blasting two goals in a bounce game against a Motherwell XI at Lennoxtown.
The 18-year-old Trinidad and Tobago starlet had already impressed manager Neil Lennon in training with the first team.
Now, talks are expected to begin to tee up a move to Parkhead when the transfer window re-opens in January for the W Connection teenager who national team boss Russell Latapy has dubbed the new Dwight Yorke.
Winchester was not the only man to impress in the development team’s 6-1 win. Gary Hooper used the match to confirm he is fully recovered from the calf injury which has kept him out for the past six weeks.
The summer signing lasted the full 90 minutes and also got on the scoresheet. Now he is pushing hard to start against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Sunday.
Niall McGinn was another man who used the game to step up his rehabilitation following the foot injury which has prevented him playing any football since the end of last season.
Development team coach Danny McGrain said: “Niall lasted an hour and was very tired, but he has been out a while and it won’t do him any harm.”
The club’s search for new talent has now been extended to India, with chief executive Peter Lawwell set to announce in Mumbai today that Celtic are supporting the Mahindra Youth Football Challenge.
He said: “We’re sure this initiative will prove very successful in showing Celtic, and indeed Scottish football, to a whole new audience.”