Jude Bonnar was rewarded with his Celtic top team debut by Brendan Rodgers – and his adoring family got to share his big moment.
The Hoops boss turned to the youngster with five minutes left on the clock as he hit a career milestone he will never forget as the home side hit Aberdeen for five under the lights at Parkhead. Daizen Maeda took his goal tally to 25 for the season as he started and ended the goal trail for the champions with Jota, Callum McGregor and winger Yang also getting in on the act.
Celtic academy coach Jonny Hayes – who was in the Sky Sports studio having also played for Aberdeen – was effusive in his praise of the new Bhoy and in a touching moment at full-time he raced over to the stand towards his family who mobbed him. Rodgers said: “Great for young Jude Bonnar to get his first appearance. He’s working very, very hard with the second team. He’s got a good profile and fits how we want to play. So that is a nice little taster for him.”
Maeda is enjoying a stunning campaign for the champions and took his goal tally to 25 with his double. His boss hailed him as the ‘symbol’ of his Celtic team as he waxed lyrical over the Japan attacker.
“He’s a symbol for our team and what I want in relation to I always want that intensity in the press. The press is everything for us. He sets the tone for the team and everyone then follows him. Central he can go that and obviously from the wide area as well. But he is a really wonderful symbol of how we play and work and I am delighted for him.”