That narrow defeat at Ibrox earlier in the season featured an excellent display by Anthony Ralston. It’s not unreasonable to suggest even that he was Celtic’s man-of-the-match. Nor is it unreasonable to suggest that, if he maintains his current level of performance, he will be among those deemed to be Celtic’s player of the season.

I’m reluctant though, to say too much about this young player, not least because I must declare that one of my close family members acts for him in a professional capacity. However, I mention him today in the context of discussing another young, home-grown player.

Mikey Johnson is also only 22 and his career to date has included a disproportionately share of obstacles and mishaps. In this, it follows a similar trajectory to Ralston’s who, less than a year ago, was considered by most of us to be not quite Celtic standard.

There can be little doubt about Johnson’s raw talent. Any player who can run quickly and directly with the ball and whose feet can carry it clear of close-quarter tackles should be prized and given time and opportunity to succeed. Trusting that Ange Postecoglou is improving Celtic also entails trusting that he knows how to develop young players.

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Mike Johnson is simply too good for his career to start moving on a downwards trajectory. My feeling is that we will see the best of him in a Celtic jersey if we’re a little more patient.

Fifty years ago, Celtic’s Quality Street kids could develop in a more innocent and less feverish era. There was no social media to amplify criticism and rejection. Only very few matches were televised and none for the entire 90 minutes. A young player could make mistakes in a much gentler environment.

Mikey Johnson is currently being told by some in our support that he’s too injury-prone (as though that were an actual medical condition with no known cure). Or that he simply “doesn’t have it” (though it’s clear that he does). The case of Tony Ralston ought to tell us something about what the transformative power of a good coach who believes in you can do to a player.