Hoops kid Calvin Miller has admitted that he will learn from close mate Kieran Tierney after deputising for the Scotland internationalist in yesterday’s 0-0 draw.

Tierney was rested for the game as Celtic look towards Thursday’s Europa League second leg in St Petersburg and Miller is keen to follow in his mate’s footsteps.

Tierney and Miller came through together at Celtic but it is only in the past year that Miller has been converted from a front player to a left-back.

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“Kieran is the same age as me and is doing really well,” he said. “I’m happy at the position I’m in as back-up at the moment and hope to get more opportunities like today.

“I’m training with the best players in the league, so I’ll only get better learning from KT and the others.

“I was playing a year above myself when I was younger, so I was in the same development team as Kieran. We were at school together and we have always been close.

“I’ve only been playing this position for a year, I’m still learning it every day.

“I was put in there in a Uefa youth game against Manchester City. I did okay on the ball but not so good defensively. The gaffer wanted to turn me into a wing-back.

“I was a striker when I played in the development team, so it was a surprise. I was one of the most attack-minded players in that team.

“But when you play for Celtic, you are usually dominating other teams and are high up the park. So I see it more as wing-back.

“I’d never played there before in younger age groups.

“But it’s always good to have a variety of positions if the gaffer wants me to do a job somewhere else.

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“I’m learning my defensive work. I feel I’ve become more aggressive recently and you have to have that in this position. I’m getting better at both sides of the game.”

Miller was close to going to St Johnstone on loan in the January transfer window. That was scuppered because of Celtic’s injury issues and the player is determined to force his way into the first-team as often as he can.

“It’s tough when you get thrown in,” he said. “My last game was back at the start of the season. Consistency is a big thing when you are at a club like Celtic. I felt I did alright but hopefully I can keep doing what I’m doing and get another chance.

“I knew there was the chance of going on loan to St Johnstone at Christmas time. It’s a big squad here and I was going to go there.

“But then we had a few injuries and the gaffer told me he wanted me to stay closer to the squad. That’s why I got my chance today because I’ve been working hard in training.”