Hibernian manager Jack Ross admitted teenage full back Josh Doig needed an arm around the shoulder after a chastening experience against Celtic's Jeremie Frimpong in Sunday's 3-0 defeat in Glasgow.
The 18-year-old has impressed after making the step up to first team action this term and has been ever-present for the Easter Road side, but was replaced at half time by club stalwart Lewis Stevenson after struggling to cope with Frimpong's electric pace.
Hibs suffered their first away loss of the campaign at Parkhead and toiled to get a foothold in the contest after Callum McGregor shot the hosts into an eighth-minute lead.
Goals from Albian Ajeti and Mohamed Elyounoussi sealed a comfortable three points for Celtic - a result that leaves the Hibees in third ahead of the visit of Hamilton Academical on Friday evening.
But Ross has backed Doig to bounce back against the Accies, adding it would be a "learning experience" for the highly-rated youngster.
“Look, it was difficult. He competed well in the first-half. He was up against a difficult opponent who has been lauded in recent weeks for being one of their stronger players," he said.
“It is another learning experience for him. I had a good chat with him at half-time and I will do so again in the coming days.
“He has been brilliant this season for a young man who has just turned 18. He will be fine and will play a big part for us moving forward."
Ross added: “When you are that quick and can be that quick from a standing start it is tough to play against. It is a really good quality for him [Frimpong] to have.
“Celtic try to make the pitch as big as they can here and are good at controlling possession. You want to isolate him in one against one situations.”
Hibs were without the services of Scott Allan for the third straight game as club medics continue to investigate an unknown health issue plaguing the mercurial midfielder.
The Easter Road side struggled to find a killer pass and squandered the few chances they were able to carve out, with Christian Doidge and Kevin Nisbet both off target when presented with goalscoring opportunities.
Ross said he was disappointed with his side's profligacy in the final third and urged his charges to be more decisive when presented with such chances.
He said: “I wouldn’t say there were any poor misses, but there were lots of areas that we found ourselves in that I would have expected us to at least work Celtic’s goalkeeper.
“We didn’t and that was the frustration. Not just for me, for the players as well. We want to score goals. The creative side was good.
“What we worked on in training was excellent from them. But it’s just that little final part that was missing.
“I was surprised by how many times we were in, in the first-half in particular. It is not often you come here and do that. We need to take those opportunities.”
