THE waterbhoys – or the Bhoys to watch?

For the four young players flying out to Germany today with the Celtic first-team squad, opportunity knocks.

Winger Paul George, midfielders Callum McGregor and John Herron, and striker Bahrudin Atajic are sure to have an element of lifting and carrying in their daily schedules over the next two weeks.

But, Neil Lennon has selected them for the training camp not just because they are strong lads, but because they have already shown they have the potential to push on to the next level in their development.

All four have already had a taste of life with the top stars, training alongside them and having the occasional flirtation with the first team on match days.

But, now they have to show they have the hunger and determination to continue this progression.

The next couple of weeks – during which the players will often train twice a day at their base camp in Bad Goegging, just outside Munich, then when they move up to Berlin, and when they play the four games which kick off in two days' time against Ukraine club, Sevastopol – will offer the chance for them to show Lennon what they can bring to the squad.

The manager has never been slow to promote from within, when he believes it has been merited.

It is, of course, a key plank in the way the club is structured as millions is invested in the youth programme. They want to reduce the necessity to go out and spend and increase the capacity to bring through their own players.

But, it is a tough road to negotiate when you are trying to move from development squad to the first team, and many who appear well set to make it fall by the wayside.

The success stories are far outweighed by the hard luck variety.

However, it is the few who do succeed who keep the dream alive for the rest, and James Forrest remains the flagship for all who set out on this tough challenge to become established in the champions' first team.

Lennon promoted him within weeks of taking over from Tony Mowbray as interim manager three years ago, and only a well-recorded series of injury problems have prevented 21-year-old Forrest from playing even more than he has.

That said, his precocious talent does make the kid who has also established himself in the Scotland squad under Craig Levein and now Gordon Strachan something of an exceptional case.

But, then, with such a strong – and strengthening – squad already at Lennon's disposal –Virgil van Dijk and Amido Balde are the latest additions –a youngster has to have something exceptional to offer to have the chance to make the step up.

TONY WATT looked to have followed Forrest's footsteps, bursting on to the scene at the end of season 2011-12, enjoying a good pre-season with the top team, then really hitting the big time with the second goal in the 2-1 Champions League win against Barcelona.

Despite this dream start, however, the 19-year-old is another who has travelled to Germany with much still to do to convince the manager and his backroom staff he is a genuine contender for a starting position when the competitive action kicks off against Cliftonville on July 17.

Watt's initial starburst appears to have been allowed to fade and drift on the wind.

Sure, on the back of what he did against Lionel Messi and Co. he got a new contract, and a place in the club's history.

But, he did not get the big prize, and the one every ambitious youngster really craves – a regular place in the team.

So, it will be another very important pre-season for the kid bought in from Airdrie United for just £50,000 in 2011, and the signs are he has a bit more maturing to do before he rediscovers the route back into the manager's major plans for the future.

Lennon cut his teeth as a coach working with young players, and, despite his heavy workload with the first team, retains an avid interest in what is happening at the levels below the top team.

It is his policy not only to set these rising stars targets and challenges, but to ensure they know they will be rewarded if they are met.

Last summer, Filip Twardzik was the beneficiary of this top-team open-door policy, and the then 19-year-old midfielder from the Czech Republic looked set to make the most of it.

Picked out by Lennon as one who was ready to step up, Twardzik excelled in the pre-season games in Germany.

Despite his willowy frame and youthful appearance, he looked very much at home working and playing alongside the established stars.

When the domestic campaign began, Lennon stayed true to his conviction that, if you are good enough, you are old enough, and kept the kid in the starting side.

Unfortunately, while Twardzik had left the development squad behind, he had not shaken off the unwanted baggage of a poor injury history.

AND a groin problem, then knee surgery, brought his season to a crashing halt in September after just two first-team appearances.

It was another reminder of how much luck as well as ability and motivation young players need – ask Dylan McGeouch, whose campaign hit the wall when his jaw hit the shoulder of Real Madrid's Nuri Sahin in a friendly in Philadelpahia last August – if they are to realise their first-team potential.

But, none of the quartet who tonight will be settling into the training camp in Germany will have thoughts for anything other than the positives which can be gained from their involvement over the next couple of weeks.

The squad is far from complete, with Lennon staggering the return of those who have played long into the summer for their respective countries.

Victor Wanyama – provided he has not by then been sold – is due to join up on Friday.

Emilio Izaguirre is another who has been busy until recently with Honduras.

And, after playing in the Confederations Cup in Brazil, Efe Ambrose will not be back in harness for another fortnight, which means he will miss the opening tie against Cliftonville two days later.

So, there is space in the squad at the moment, and no shortage of kids ready and willing to fill it.