PATRICK VIEIRA admits he is 'proud' to see Man City kid Jason Denayer starring for Celtic.

The Frenchman is the manager of City's elite development squad and has been keeping close tabs on Denayer since his summer loan switch to Glasgow.

The stopper has caught the eye with a series of impressive displays for Ronny Deila's side and has formed a solid partnership with Virgil van Dijk.

Denayer is highly rated by the City youth staff and has been likened to current captain and countryman Vincent Kompany.

Celtic are unlikely to be able to keep the 19-year-old on a permanent basis beyond his short-term stay in Glasgow but Parkhead is seen as the ideal place for one of City's top young talents to improve his game.

Deila previously took a number of players from the Etihad to Stromsgodset on loan and also recruited John Guidetti in the summer.

Both Blues starlets have caught the eye in green and white so far this season.

And midfield legend Vieira is delighted to see Denayer making the most of his chance to impress in the Premiership.

"We have to give them the right development, and that means sending them on loan," he said.

"When I watch Jason playing for Celtic, or Marcos Lopes playing at Lille, it makes us really proud.

"The way they are performing lets me know we are doing things the right way.

"The object is to provide players for the first team, but we know the gap is massive from Under-21 to the first team - but this is one way we can get them there."