David Watson has been likened to former Celtic star Kieran Tierney.

The Kilmarnock midfielder has enjoyed a stellar season under Derek McInnes at Rugby Park, with the team on the cusp of securing a fourth-placed finish.

He's the leading contender to win PFA Scotland's Young Player of the Year award thanks to some of his impressive performances and big goals in a Killie shirt.

The rising SPFL star scored a last-minute equaliser at Celtic Park in February and also has memorable goals against Aberdeen, St Johnstone and St Mirren.

His manager, McInnes, believes he has all the tools to reach the very top.

And the ex-Aberdeen boss has drawn comparisons between his player and how Tierney came through the ranks at Lennoxtown.

"It's annoyed me a wee bit that he's not been through the national set-up," the 52-year-old told PLZ Soccer. "He's obviously involved with the Under-19s now he's playing first-team football.

"To a lot of the purists, it might seem that he's a bit rough around the edges. 

"My god, he impressed us right from the first day we went in at Kilmarnock. He was 16, but we had him training with the first team from day one. 

"He was captain of the 18s, he's captained the reserves and he'll eventually captain Kilmarnock, I'm pretty sure of it as long as we can hold onto him. 

"He's a boy who wears his heart on his sleeve really. He's always ready to work, he's always ready to set about the task we ask of him.

"He's difficult to play against which is critical of a midfielder. He makes contact and he handles the ball well. Probably this season, the reason why he's been nominated is adding goals to his game. He's a bit disappointed he's not got two or three more but I think that will be the key for Davey.

"Everybody is looking for those number eights who can get beyond strikers and score important goals - be the difference maker. He's scored a lot of big goals for us this season. It says a lot for him that he's managed to secure a place in the team that has been so consistent and doing well. 

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"I think the gauge for him and where he goes on in his career will be how many goals he can get in a season. He's more than capable of having a top career and he's an absolute joy to work with.

"He's a wee bit like the way Kieran Tierney was. I used to hear stories about Tierney and how he was with Scotland, and Celtic. 

"Always in a t-shirt, short sleeves in training and black boots. Shorts on, never wearing snoods, hats, gloves and trackie bottoms. 

"He was always last in with the kit, helping out. I remember Gordon Marshall, when he was away with Scotland, said 'The boy Tierney at Celtic, he's always helping with the kit and asking if he can do things.'

"Wee Watson is that at our club. He's such a popular boy but he's backed it up with big performances this season. He's not just a good lad, but a good lad who is doing well and on the right track."