MARC WILMOTS, the Belgium national team manager, believes Celtic defender Jason Denayer will be world class one day.

 

The Scottish Premiership champions centre-half, voted Players' Player of the Year, was handed his first cap for the Belgians in the Euro 2016 qualifier in Israel this year, when he came on as a substitute as a substitute after Vincent Kompany was sent off.

Wilmots has little doubts that Denayer, who is still 19, can make it at one of Europe's top clubs.

"In life, we must dare to have faith in the young and that's what I have done with Jason, " he said. "I watched him for a year and a half before I gave him his first cap.

"I went to Milan to see him play for Celtic against Inter Milan. After 30 minutes, Celtic were down to ten men and then I saw what a player he is. He took command and remained calm and controlled his defence.

"First and foremost, he defends. He's also fast and his positional sense is superb. I'm not saying he is in pole position to start against Wales in Cardiff in June because the match is still over a month away.

"But what I will say is that Jason has enormous potential. If he continues to evolve at the rate he is progressing, he can be world class."

An almost forgotten Celtic player, Tom Rogic, could be given another chance to salvage his career at the club.

The 22-year-old hasn't made a first team appearance this season, however, his manager, Ronny Deila, is aiming to give him some game time as he closes down the campaign.

Rogic was on the bench at Pittodrie on Sunday after fading from the first team picture during his battle against his long-term groin injury.

Deila said: "Tom can still have a future with us. He has been very unlucky in his Celtic career.

"He looks lean, he looks fast and it is up to him now. It's not too late for him. I always want to give everyone a chance. I am pleased for him that he is fit again and we will see what happens over the next couple of weeks.

"He has worked very hard in the gym and on the training pitch. He looks fit, but obviously he has not played a lot of football, so he needs game time."