THE loan signing by Celtic of Jason Denayer a year ago proved there are hidden gems to be found in the reserve teams of the bigger English Premiership clubs.

And first-team coach John Kennedy believes his club have unearthed another diamond in Dedryk Boyata who has made a fine first impression in the few training sessions which have taken place so far at the club's training ground.

The Belgian is different from his fellow countryman Denayer, the man he was brought in to replace, in that at 24 he is almost five years older and was not as highly thought of at Manchester City where he was always a fringe player, albeit one rated by his coaches. There is little disgrace in finding that team a difficult one to break into.

However, Kennedy, a fine young defender himself until injury all-but ended his career, sees many encouraging similarities between the two, something which will please Celtic fans who may in years to come look back with great pride on the way their club helped to progress the career of one of Europe's best defenders. Just watch Denayer go at City this season.

"There are similarities because Dedryk is aggressive, quick, strong, and he's good on the ball," said Kennedy who was spotted in deep conversation with the player at Lennoxtown during the week. "It's everything we wanted in a centre-back. He ticked most of the boxes. We found out he was available, the manager did a bit of work speaking to City and the player.

"He's ambitious as well, he knows he need to get playing football, he realises that. He's spent a bit of time watching football instead of playing and I think that's the reason he's come here because he knows it gives him a very good opportunity to play at a very good level."

There is a difference between being unable to get a game at a club owned by the Emirati royal family and just about anywhere else. But the fact remains that this is a 24-year-old who has not managed 60 first-team games yet, and that includes loan spells at Bolton Wanderers and FC Twente.

None of this concerns Kennedy who said: "He's probably not played as many games in the last couple of years as you would expect from someone of his age and ability. However, he was a top young player at Manchester City.

"He had a big name when he went in there and probably just struggled to become a regular. With the standard of player they have, it's very difficult to break into that side.

"I think we are getting a top player at a very good price. Hopefully, coming here and playing every week in our stadium in front of our fans with maybe Champions League football can develop him. We saw it with Jason, who came in and did so well at 19 years of age. We had to replace that and I think we have."

Boyata has a swagger about him. Confidence, or lack of it, does not seem to be something that will affect this lad, and there is nothing wrong with that.

Celtic players need to possess self-belief or they will struggle to cut it. This trait is one, Kennedy believes, to be essential.

"I think he's confident which is good, we want players with a bit of character, a bit of personality but he's a very good professional," said the coach. "I know people who have worked with him and players who have played beside him and they think very, very highly of him.

"He was one we targeted early when we knew we were looking for that position with Jason going back to City.

"He became available and the club gave the manager the backing and we moved very quickly on it. If we're going to settle players in and be best prepared for the Champions League then it's important you get players like him in early so they can get up to speed and know exactly what we want going into these games.

"From what I've seen and in the short time I've spoken to him he's the type of character we want at the club and he'll hopefully be a good bit of business."

If Boyata even comes close to the level of Denayer then Celtic have won a watch.