If you know your history, then you will be well aware that Celtic have always sported a rich tradition of producing young academy players from the youth system who have gone on to become stars in the first team.

From the 1950s right through to the 1980s Parkhead was a hotbed for outstanding young talent who graduated right through to the top team. Jock Stein's famous Lisbon Lions nurtured homegrown stars like Jimmy Johnstone, Bobby Murdoch, Bertie Auld, and Bobby Lennox. They gave way to the 'Quality Street Gang' members like Kenny Dalglish, Danny McGrain, David Hay and George Connelly to name but a few. The talent kept coming to the fore from the late 1970s through to the early 80's as Tommy Burns, Roy Aitken, Charlie Nicholas and one of the finest players of his generation Paul McStay emerged from the youth system to become first-team stars.

By the 1990s and up until the early 2000s the east end conveyor belt slowed as Rangers ran riot in Scottish football and clubs adopted a spend, spend, spend policy with opportunities for younger players limited. Scottish football struggled to compete with the riches and finances on offer south of the border in the English Premier League and the major European leagues.

Thankfully once again the focus of attention for clubs like Celtic has switched back to looking to its youth system and great emphasis is now placed on youth development. In the recent past the likes of Aiden McGeady, Shaun Maloney, Kieran Tierney, James Forrest and captain fantastic Callum McGregor have all earned their stripes - or should that be Hoops - by becoming graduates of the academy system.

What about the current crop then?

READ MORE: The Celtic message from Ange that inspired Youth Cup triumph

Well, Stuart McLaren's side served up a rip-roaring, free-scoring, never-boring Glasgow Celtic display in a humdinger of an SFA Youth Cup final victory over Rangers at Hampden last night. An 11-goal thriller saw the youngsters edge it 6-5 as Celtic captured the trophy for the 16th time.

There was much for watching Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou to ponder as McLaren's young charges went about their business with gusto in a highly entertaining and absorbing contest that was beamed live to millions of homes by BBC Scotland.

There was no shortage of talent in the Celtic team with the likes of skipper Kyle Ure who clearly models his game on McGregor earning player of the match plaudits.

Like the senior team's brilliant leader, Ure is now an SFA Youth Cup-winning captain. That's where it all started for McGregor who has yet to taste defeat for the Hoops in a major domestic showpiece at Hampden Park. Ure is definitely one who has the skills to emulate McGregor's pathway and what a night he picked to showcase his talent in front of the Aussie.

Pathway is the big word here, isn't it? That's the 'p' word that is doing the heavy lifting but both Rocco Vata and Ben Summers have shown that if you're young enough, but good enough, Postecoglou will give you a first-team crack - but you have to earn it.

Alongside Ure were the likes of Daniel Kelly, Daniel Cummings, Corey Thomson and Mitchel Frame all worthy of honourable mentions.

There is an abundance of talent out on the Hampden grass and they were inspired by a good luck message from Postecoglou and McGregor who provided the youngsters with motivational speeches which paved the way for Celtic to triumph against their city rivals.

It remains to be seen of course if Celtic do unearth the new Johnstone, Murdoch, Auld, Lennox, Dalglish, Hay, McGrain, Nicholas McStay, Tierney or McGregor.

The Celtic supporters absolutely adore one of their own making the grade.

You certainly get the sense that, under Postecoglou, the pathway from the academy to the first team is never closed off to any player. Thankfully there is still that link.

For those of a certain vintage, they will appreciate that there is more to conveyor belts than just fondue sets and cuddly toys you know. From the Lisbon Lions right through to the Quality Street Gang and up until the present day the conveyor belt at Celtic never stops. It still keeps churning out top young talent, especially if this thrilling 6-5 Youth Cup final win is anything to go by.

By winning the trophy in swashbuckling style against Rangers in front of the main man Postecoglou himself, at least the current 'Generation' of Celtic youngsters - Ure, Kelly, Cummings, Thomson, Frame et al - got the opportunity to show to the Aussie for once in their careers that they were 'Game' enough.