In a significant moment for Celtic’s young talent, Francis Turley made his competitive first-team debut against St Mirren.

The 18-year-old midfielder was introduced in the 89th minute, replacing Reo Hatate as Celtic secured a 3-0 victory at the SMiSA Stadium.

Turley’s inclusion in the first team highlights the club’s commitment to integrating promising young players into their senior squad, especially with Daniel Kelly leaving this week and Matt O’Reilly on the verge of a move.

The debut comes as a reward for his impressive performances in the youth setup and during pre-season, showcasing his potential to contribute to the first team.

As Celtic get ready for the upcoming Glasgow Derby at Celtic Park, Turley’s debut shows the club’s faith in young players, particularly during a period when the youth setup has been under scrutiny.

Celtic will likely sign new midfielders before the transfer window closes, but Turley is clearly highly rated by manager Brendan Rodgers.

He is certainly one to watch for the future and will hopefully receive more first-team opportunities this season.