IT takes a lot of hard work for even the most talented to make football look easy.

And while the game may come naturally to Jack Aitchison who with one deft swing of his left boot scored a goal for the ages on Sunday at Celtic Park, this impressive young man has put in the graft and long hours just so he has a chance, and that is all it remains even after his extraordinary debut, of making it.

Every morning for three years he was up and out long before the postman knocked to be driven – he is too young to drive – from Fauldhouse to Kirkintilloch where he attended at Celtic’s performance school of St Ninians.

His day went from football to lessons to football and then his chores at Lennoxtown including the oh-so glamorous task of clearing away the water bottles once they have been drained by the first-team.

Aitchison returned home late in the evening and then did it all again the day after that.

This is what it takes. No corners can be cut. Ronny Deila said only the other week that two from the academy a year at most will make any sort of impact.

With such odds against you, why would you now give it your all?

Aitchison revealed: “It's only a couple of weeks ago that I was up at 6am to travel to St Ninians. There is a good programme there with the training and also going to school.

"I thought I would be a couple years away from even training with the first-team, so to get in the squad so soon is overwhelming.

“I am from Fauldhouse. I was lucky to have a coach who stays five minutes away, John McLaughlin, and he got me at my house at six in the morning to travel to school.

"We trained at 7.30am, then finished at 8.45 and had actual school after breakfast. After school I trained at Lennoxtown and didn't get home until 8.30 at night.

“I was doing this for almost three years, since second year, although I actually left in February.

“The change of school did help even though I’d be sleeping in what was a really uncomfortable car on my way to training.

"Sometimes I’d think: ‘Why am I doing this?’ but, after getting my opportunity on Sunday, I know now why I did it.

“The school was brilliant and I got a really good education. I’d like to thank them for that as well. Sometimes I’d fall asleep during class because I was shattered from my training that morning!”

There was no hint Aitchison was in the thoughts of Deila. He fully expected his weekend to be centred on a game with the Development squad against Partick Thistle in front of a crowd of a few parents.

It didn’t quite work out that way. Is it any wonder that even on a Tuesday afternoon at Celtic Park when he fulfilled his media duties with an articulacy and intelligence that would put many of his seniors to shame, the lad was unsure whether he was coming or going?

Aitchison said: “I have managed some sleep, a few hours anyway. The last couple of days have been mad.

"It was a great opportunity for me to get in the squad, and then to get on and score a goal was the best feeling ever. It has still not sunk in that I have even made my debut, never mind that I scored a goal.

“I got a text on Friday night about 11.30pm that I was to train with the first-team on the Saturday and that there was a chance I would be in the squad. I was then told to meet 6.30pm at the hotel and that I had a good chance of playing. I had no inkling that was going to happen."

So what went thought his head when the ball kindly broke to him inside the box?

He said: “As soon as their player stuck his leg out, I moved towards goal and it came to me faster than I thought. My first thought was hit it straight away with my left foot straight away.

"Luckily enough, I’d time to think. I didn’t choke or anything. I was very lucky that the team had played well and were winning 6-0. Because of that, I got on sooner than I was supposed to.

"My mum, dad, grandpa, wee sister and my dad’s girlfriend were all there. It was amazing.

"They were quite emotional when I scored. When I saw them at the end it was amazing - they were really proud. I’ve never seen my dad like that before. He’s normally telling me how badly I’ve done!

‘But for that one time he was able to say he was proud of me.”

Dad George has played a huge part in his son’s development. It is not only young Aitchison who realised that dreams do not come easily, that it as much about toil as it is talent.

“I also need to thank my dad because he worked two jobs but, when he came home about 7pm, he would take me out to the park and help me with extra training,” said junior.

“He’s been doing that for a couple of years. He had a building job but he also has a corner shop in Fauldhouse, a wee newsagents. I think he had to order more papers on Monday morning.”

This is some story and one Aitchison does not want to end here.

It may well be some time before we hear of him again; however, you get the feeling this is a kid who just might be going places.

He said: “I want to work my way up, keep playing and get more minutes under my belt, My objective is to start a first team game next season.

“I'll start with the development squad, stay grounded and train hard because I’ll need to work my way up again, what with the new manager coming in.

“My ambition is to be a striker here but, obviously, that isn’t going to be easy when you see the number there are at the club.

"But, ideally, I’d like to be one of the strikers that all the fans love.”

And as he knows, dreams can come true.