DARNELL Fisher has heard opportunity knock - and the cool kid is determined to answer.

Surgery for Mikael Lustig and the staged return of Adam Matthews after his shoulder injury has opened the door to more first-team action for the converted midfielder.

Neil Lennon has been happy to give him promotion to the right-back spot.

And, after another attacking performance from the 19-year-old Englishman in the 2-0 defeat of Hearts, Fisher is hoping to land a run of games in the side.

He said: "There is motivation for me to stay in the team, but I know it's going to be hard with Adam and Mika here.

"They are two internationalists, but I need to keep pushing and learning from them.

"I feel confident. That's the type of person I am. You need to be like that coming into this team. You have to try to express yourself when you get the chance."

The decision to send Lustig for the operation to resolve the issue which has been troubling him for over a year means the Swede will be missing for the next four months.

Fisher is set to benefit as he vies with Matthews for the spot in the team, but he still has some sympathy for his unfortunate team-mate.

"Mika will be out for a few months, but I wouldn't say I was happy when I heard that," he said.

"He's a great player and has been brilliant for the team. But he's in pain and needs to get it sorted.

"You still have Adam there, but Mika will be a big miss for the team as he's been in great form.

"I suppose it's a bonus for me and I have to take any chance that comes my way."

Fisher explained that Lustig, along with coach Danny McGrain, has been helping him develop into a first-team contender.

And he is relishing the prospect of showing he has been a good pupil.

"Mika has been great with me," said the teenager who joined the club from Farnborough two years ago.

"I talk to him a lot and was asking what it was like to play against Ronaldo and Messi.

"He's been a big help and I do learn a lot of stuff from him. I'm always asking him questions.

"He gives me loads of tips and is always telling me how important it is to drive the game from the full-back position.

"It's important to keep getting on the ball and picking passes.

"It's an important position and there is a lot of responsibility on the full-backs. The gaffer and Danny McGrain are always telling me that.

"I never knew about Danny's career before I signed for Celtic - but he tells us about how good he was all the time.

"I heard even Pele was talking about him, so that's when you know you are a good player."