Celtic academy midfielder Kyle Ure has praised Scott Brown for shaping his career.
The 20-year-old is currently in Portugal with Martin O'Neill's first-team squad as they prepare for Tuesday night's pre-season match against Sporting CP.
Ure, who is yet to make his competitive debut for the club, moved closer to senior involvement after a loan spell at Ayr United.
The chance to work under former Celtic captain Brown was a key factor in that decision. In an interview with club media, he said: "It was a massive experience; it's one that I'll forever be grateful for.
"It was probably a big driving factor, and the reason that I chose to go to Ayr."
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Ure highlighted Brown's influence as central to his development during the loan spell. He said, "I think a big part of it was working under Scott Brown and all his coaches over there, so it was a really good learning experience for me.
"Because he knew so much about what this club was like, it was the ideal person to go and learn from. Similar position as well, I've said it before, I probably couldn't have picked a better person.
"He played near enough the exact same position as me, and to just go and learn small details about the difference, like the ugly side of the game, if you want to call it that, that not many people realise, is a big learning experience for me."
He described his time at Ayr United as one he will "forever be grateful for."
