‘If they’re good enough, they’ll play’ – Crighton Praises Teens’ Celtic display
SEAN CRIGHTOPN was delighted with the performances of his Queen’s Park teenagers who starred in Friday’s friendly defeat to Celtic.
But the boss is also proud as punch over his experienced squad members too.
In total five teenagers featured against the William Hill Premiership champions during the 1-0 defeat at The city Stadium, two from the start.
Cole Burke – 16 years old and still at school – and 18-year-old Jamie Bradley were named in the Spiders’ XI for the visit of Brendan Rodgers side in the final pre-season friendly of the summer while Aidan McGinlay, Timam Scott and Tyrece McDonnell featured from the bench.
All featured under Crighton for last season’s SPFL Reserve League winning B team, and he insists age will be no barrier to their first team ambitions.
Asked about Burke, the Spiders’ head coach told QPTV: “He deserves this place. They might be young but if they’re good enough, they’ll play.
“He has shown the maturity of a 20-year-old or even further on. He is 16 but he has shown he can come in and make an impact.
“We have others too. Darryl Carrick is coming back, he was on the bench. He’s got to see that and say ‘I can come in and do that as well’.
“That’s the reason we have a squad – and it is young but you saw Jamie Bradley in the first half – excellent. He’s just 18.
“Again I’m really proud of the young players, but I’m also proud of the experienced players who are helping them along as well.”
Burke has impressed his team-mates too.
Crighton went on: “The kid is 16. You can’t ask for much more. He took everything I asked him to do and did it to the letter of the law.
“He had Charlie Fox and Euan Murray beside him, talking him through the game. Carlo [Pignatiello] too.
“But they were telling me the wee man was talking through it too.
“For a 16 year old to play against that calibre of player, it’s just amazing.
“The discipline he showed too, he didn’t jump out his shape.
“I am really happy with him. He will be really happy himself too – I’m buzzing for him.”
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