James Forrest expressed his relief that Neil Lennon got the Celtic manager's job on a permanent basis this summer because it accelerated his own speed of progress at Parkhead.
Lennon worked with 19-year-old Forrest at reserve and youth level in his previous coaching role so knew all about his potential before taking charge of the senior squad with the removal of Tony Mowbray.
Forrest said: "At the end of last season, the manager [Lennon, then caretaker] brought me on a few times and I thought that if he got the job he would give me a chance and that's what he has done."
Forrest knows had Celtic chosen differently during the close season another manager might not have glimpsed his talent so quickly.
The homegrown midfielder was the outstanding talent for Celtic against St Mirren on Sunday and scored the third goal in a 4-0 victory that had Lennon lauding his ability afterwards despite his wish to contain the hype.
Forrest is bound to be compared to the departed Aiden McGeady, a £9.5million summer sale to Spartak Moscow, but he seems unfazed by the attention on him.
He added: "It's hard to say I'm the 'new Aiden McGeady', but I want to play more games and show the fans what I can do.
"I scored at the end of last season as well, but it was good to get another and hopefully I'll get used to it.
"I was delighted to make my first start at Celtic Park, it felt really good and it was great to score, as well.
"The manager picks the team so we'll have to wait and see whether I play in Utrecht. I just need to keep my feet on the ground and see what happens."
Source: PA
