Footage has emerged on Twitter of Celtic youngster Brody Paterson’s Kieran Tierney-esque assist last weekend during a game for Airdrieonians while on loan from the Scottish giants.
The left-back has been on loan to the Scottish League One side since January and was at Queen’s Park FC prior, impressing his former manager Ray McKinnon, who stated: “I’m excited we’ve managed to get Brody to join us this season. He’s a very talented, athletic young player who will give us great balance and options up and down the left-hand side of the field.”
The 20-year-old has caught the eye after his wonderful assist against Montrose this past weekend. The footage shows Paterson picking up the ball on the left-hand side of his opponent’s penalty area, using his skill with the ball at his feet to lure the defender down the line and get past him before delivering a perfectly weighted cross in which his teammate heads into the goal.
The way Paterson gets by his man and delivers the cross shows shades of a former young Celtic star and now Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney, who has made this kind of assist his bread and butter.
If Paterson can continue his run of good form while out on loan, there is no reason why he cannot break into the first team next season under Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou. The Australian manager has used a flurry of young talent in his debut campaign for the Hoops, and it has worked as they currently sit top of the Scottish Premier League, six points ahead of rivals Rangers.
Postecoglou has continually called upon the likes of Liel Abada, Jota, Matt O’Riley, Reo Hatate, David Turnbull, and Greg Taylor throughout the season and has shown he will give the opportunity to the players that deserve it.
TIF Thoughts on Paterson…
Paterson has a long way to go in his development as he is yet to put on a shirt for the Celtic first team and has played predominantly in the Scottish League One and Two.
So far during his time at Airdrieonians, he has played 12 matches and put up two assists while only receiving one yellow card in his 930 minutes of football, showing great discipline for a young player. (Tranfermarkt)
Celtic and Scotland fans will be hoping Paterson can continue in the vein of Tierney, who became a rock for both club and country at a young age.