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Celtic is a club known for its development of young players.

From historical examples such as Roy Aitken, George McCluskey and Charlie Nicholas to recent graduates like James Forrest, Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney, the club has prided itself on trying to develop talent good enough to break into the first team. However, despite having a number of talented youngsters representing their countries at youth level – most notably in Scotland and the Republic of Ireland – many of these starlets fail to make that final step into Celtic’s senior squad.

The last player to make a meaningful impact in moving from the youth set-up to the first team was Anthony Ralston. In spite of this, there is a crop of young players coming through who might be able to break the glass ceiling.

READ MORE: Why Daizen Maeda can follow the Rodgers gospel to Celtic glory

Rocco Vata

A surname that will resonate with many Celtic fans, Rocco is the son of Rudi Vata, who played 60 times for the club between 1993 to 1996. Unlike his father – who was a defender – Vata operates as an attacking player for the B team. He can play on either wing, as well as an attacking midfielder, and has been capped at under-19 level for the Republic of Ireland. Also eligible to play for Albania - as well as Scotland and Montenegro - Vata has chosen to represent the country of his maternal grandmother.

He has already made four appearances in all competitions, making his debut in the 4-0 defeat of Hibernian last December. In these brief appearances, he has impressed, delivering a number of decent balls into the box, both of which should have been dispatched by Hyeongyu Oh against Kilmarnock and St Mirren, respectively.

Not afraid to put himself about, and having only just turned 18 in April, Vata looks to be the brightest talent available to Celtic from the B team. It remains to be seen whether or not Rodgers will afford him increased game-time or if he will send him out on loan for more experience. If the latter transpires then there will surely be a wealth of clubs, both domestically and further afield, happy to take the youngster on a temporary basis.

Ben Summers

The 19-year-old is very much a player that passes the ‘eye-test’ when you watch him play for the B team. Summers has also made the breakthrough into the first team already, making two appearances thanks to then-manager Ange Postecoglou. His debut coming against Kilmarnock in a 4-1 win at Rugby Park last season.

An attacking midfielder like Vata, both players are the two breakout stars of their respective age groups. He showcased why there is such a buzz surrounding him in a recent standout performance against Rangers B, in which Celtic won on penalties. His second appearance for the first team – a cameo against Aberdeen on the final day of the season – was the first glimpse the home support got to see of the central attacking midfielder. Despite coming on late on in the game, Summers had a couple of nice touches and did not look out of place facing Scotland’s third-placed team.

Summers is very much a player for the future, but there are clearly high hopes in terms of his future. At 19 years of age, he is a season ahead of Vata in terms of development but will be hoping to make more of an impact in the season ahead – both for the B team and potentially the first team if an opportunity arises.

READ MORE: Why a Celtic return for Tierney would compromise the transfer model

Bosun Lawal

It is fair to say that this season may be a make-or-break one for Lawal at Celtic. The towering central defender – who operated as a midfielder at his previous club Watford – has just turned 20 years old, so one would assume if the Republic of Ireland under-21 international is going to break into the first team, then it would transpire this season.

Again, Lawal has already made his debut for Celtic, this time in the League Cup against Greenock Morton where he came on as a late substitute as the side won 5-0. The defender has seen far more action with the B team, where he is a mainstay in the centre of defence.

It will be interesting to see where Lawal will be plying his trade next season. There has been speculation that teams down south in the English Football League have been interested in securing his signature on loan, with sides such as Bristol Rovers and Portsmouth both being quoted as potential suitors for the Irishman.

Lawal can look to examples such as McGregor and Ralston as players who solidified their place in the starting line-up that were older than he currently is, but time is of the essence for him to break into a side already packed with central defensive options.