Celtic youngster Leo Hjelde is looking to make an instant impact at the Hoops next season, after experiencing first-team football at Ross County this campaign.
In an interview with Youth Football Scotland, Hjelde revealed that if possible is looking to contribute to the first team going into next season and also shared that fellow Norweigan Kristoffer Ajer has been a big help to him since joining the club back in 2019.
“Kris (Ajer) has been really good with me.
“We’ve had a lot of chats, and I saw him every single day, had lunch with him as well. He really helped me with settling in and staying calm. If I needed any advice I’d speak to him.
“I need to create my own pathways. I look up to Kris so far as an inspiration, but in the end, I have to make my own pathway.
“The first team at Celtic is world-class. They play Europa League and should be playing Champions League because of the size of the club.
“Next year I want to contribute to the team if it’s possible.”
When asked about his recent comparison to former Celtic and now Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk by John Hughes, Hjelde said;
“It’s a good feeling. I think that’s a big stretch, but obviously, if he sees something in me that makes him say that then it’s unbelievable and a really nice thing.”
At just 17-years of age, it says a lot for Hjelde to be going out and playing first-team football at a side like Ross County, week in, week out as they look to battle relegation from the Scottish Premiership.
It is fair to say that there will be high expectations for him with a lot of comparisons likely to be made with current defender Kristoffer Ajer, due to both their nationalities and the way they first signed for the club.
It would be a big plus, going into next season to have Hjelde as part of the squad which is set to undergo a huge rebuild in the summer. Only time will tell though if that is the case, with whoever is the next permanent manager having the chance to assess him in pre-season.
