Exclusive:Celtic ace awaiting Parkhead fate hopes title-winning loan spell can propel him into first-team picture
Highly-rated Celtic left-back aiming to follow in Kieran Tierney’s footsteps as he eyes next step in his development
Andrew Kyle has already sampled a taste of first-team action at Celtic under Brendan Rodgers - and his successful first loan spell in the senior ranks has left him hungry for more.
The promising 19-year-old left-back has been a shining light for newly-crowned SPFL League Two champions East Kilbride during the second half of the season after moving to K-Park in January on a temporary basis.
Kyle had the option to continue playing for Celtic’s B-team, but felt the timing was right for him to make his mark at a higher level and prove he is worthy of earning a new contract at Parkhead as he aims to follow in the footsteps on academy graduate Kieran Tierney.
Speaking exclusively to GlasgowWorld, Kyle said: “Yeah, it’s been really good. I just wanted a different challenge in January and moving to East Kilbride has been amazing for my development.
“When I joined, I think the club were eight points behind, so to be here fighting for a title has been amazing. It added a bit of pressure, but it's been really good for me and I’ve learned a lot. I could’ve stayed at Celtic but I wanted to go out on loan and test myself.
“It's been a lot different to playing for the (Celtic) B-team, especially playing in front of big crowds. Hopefully next year I can get a chance in pre-season again to show what I can bring, or go to another first-team environment and that brings on another challenge.
“But I’ve had a great six months with East Kilbride and next season, let’s see where that takes me. Kieran (Tierney) is a big inspiration for me, and I’d love to follow in his footsteps and try to establish myself in the first team.”
Celtic starlet awaiting news on contract situation
Kyle, who featured in the green and white hoops for the senior team during a pre-season friendly win over Queen’s Park last summer, faces an uncertain summer as he waits to discover if he still has a future at the Scottish champions.
However, the marauding full-back - a regular for Stephen McManus’ side in the Lowland League - is relaxed about his contract situation and is hopeful he has impressed Celtic chiefs enough during his loan stint to prove he is worthy of a new deal.
“I'm yet to find out (if I’ll be offered a new contract), so that's all I know so far,” he admitted. “I'm just waiting to see what happens. But if not, hopefully I can go to another senior team and just take it from there.”
Kyle reflects on career highlight after helping East Kilbride to League Two title
Having caught the eye of previous manager Rodgers after being invited to train with the senior squad at Lennoxtown last summer, Kyle made his debut for East Kilbride in a 6-0 drubbing at home Spartans - starting in an unfamiliar role on the right side of defence.
Despite an alarming start, he went on to make 15 appearances for Michael Kennedy’s side and played a crucial part in the club’s title charge as they kept runners-up Spartans at arms length on the final day of the season, courtesy of a 5-0 victory at home to Clyde.
Asked where the achievement ranks in his fledgling career, Kyle responded: “Oh, this is right at the very top. I've not managed to achieve a lot so in my career so far. This has to be right at the top.
“I can’t thank Mick (Kennedy) and Si (Ferry) enough for bringing me in, they’ve both been amazing. Mick is a great man-manager and I can see him managing at a higher level in the future.”