CELTIC kid Calvin Miller last night described his shock debut as “perfect” and vowed to stay part of Brendan Rodgers' plans for the rest of this season.

The 18-year-old was a surprise starter in his side’s win over Partick Thistle at Parkhead on Tuesday night becoming the latest first-team academy graduate to be given his chance – and he wants more after an impressive first showing.

Miller made his name at Celtic as a winger and yet did not look out of place at left-back, earning huge praise from Brendan Rodgers who told him at the weekend that he was set to start.

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And he now wants to join the likes of James Forrest, Kieran Tierney and Callum McGregor as the next youth player to establish himself in Celtic’s senior squad.

Miller said: “It was amazing. I'm so happy to have been a part of it and I’m glad we got the win. It was the perfect debut.

“I had an idea on Sunday (he would play) so it was on my mind and I was really nervous for the last couple of hours before the game. But I just went out and did my job.

“Hopefully I can maintain my level of performance, continue to do well and the gaffer can see what am I doing and put me in the squad again.

"As it came up to kick-off I got more focused and I had all the boys around me to make me feel confident. They helped me a lot. My family was at the game which was great."

Miller signed for Celtic as a 15-year-old having caught the eye of the club scouts as a wide player in school and youth football.

But he didn’t mind having to play in a fairly unfamiliar position in order to impress his manager, and the Celtic support, and would be happy to make a permanent switch for the good of his career.

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Miller, speaking to Celtic TV, revealed: “The manager just told me to be myself. He knows I’m a winger so he told me to be direct, get crosses in, and that what I did.

“I played the last three games in that position for the development side.

“I'm adapting to it. It's getting me into the first team quicker. It’s good having that variety of positions in my locker. I need to just keep doing well.”

Rodgers has promised to play the club’s younger players where possible this season and has been delighted with Miller’s steady progress, especially as his switch of role had only just happened.

The Celtic manager said: “For someone at 18-years of age, a young player that’s just moved position, I thought he did very well in his first game. It was a big positive for us.

“It’s natural for young kids to step into this environment, he’ll feel the power and strength needed to be a first team player.

“He was up against a good opponent that was fast and strong and that was the idea; to put him in against David Amoo as that would be a good test but I thought he did very well.

“He’s a kid I’ve been impressed with as he really wants to learn and develop.”