A DAY never goes by without Stevie Frail taking a call for his manager at Celtic - such is Ronny Deila's interest in promoting the club's young players.

The Parkhead development coach, who works primarily with what in old money is the Under-20 team, believes there are a couple of gems in the squad who are good enough to make it - and he doesn't have to go chasing Deila to tell him about who to keep an eye on.

The Norwegian is well aware of those Frail believes have something about them, which is good news if you are one of those who will be at Hampden Park tonight to face Rangers in the Little Big Shot Youth Cup Final.

Kieran Tierney, who is not yet 18, was given his full debut last Friday at St Johnstone. A dead rubber game it may have been, however, at least the teenager was given his chance and any of his contemporaries will be afforded the same opportunity if they catch the manager's eye.

And nothing escapes Deila's attention.

Frail said: "Ronny is well aware of who is coming through and he keeps in touch daily with the progress of the youngsters. He has taken a keen interest.

"Kieran made his first-team starting debut against St Johnstone and did really well considering he has just come back from a leg break around Christmas time.

"He was absolutely flying back then. The manager really liked him and he was training with the first team then. For him to come back and progress into the top team is great news for everybody at the club.

"Other young players see what Kieran has achieved and they see that the pathway is there for them. Despite their age, the manager is very keen on progressing young players and he trains with them and the communication lines are very healthy.

"Ronny is very aware of them and he is excited about some of them."

Frail would love to win back the Youth Cup this evening, especially as Rangers lifted the trophy a year ago.

You can tell that he has confidence in the group who, over this season, have shown themselves to be one of the best teams in British football at their level.

Frail said: "It is always a great way to end the season with an Old Firm cup final, but it is only good if you are smiling at the end of it. We have had a couple of cup finals against Rangers in my time here and we are excited about it.

"There are one or two who will feature tonight that have been in and around the first team. Games like this can only add to their development."

One of those who hope to be on the fringes of the top team at least in the near future is the squad's captain, Connor McManus.

A hip injury prevented him from playing for six months during this campaign, and he is determined to follow the likes of Tierney.

McManus said: "All you are asking for is a chance at first-team level and we all want to impress the manager.

"Celtic is a massive club and 10 players are not going to graduate into the first team every year. It will only be one or two, but it does give you hope. You can only live on that hope and work hard to try and be the next one."