Leo Hjelde's dad has revealed the Celtic starlet is being tracked by a number of clubs but is targeting a first-team breakthrough next term.
Ross County boss John Hughes claimed Leo Hjelde could become the next Virgil van Dijk this week after impressing on loan at the Staggies.
Dad Jon Olav Hjelde told Norwegian outlet T2 "it is flattering just to be mentioned in the same sentence as him" by Hughes and is "motivating" the 17-year-old to take the next step.
Hjelde senior, who played for Rosenborg and Nottingham Forest, hailed his sons development since moving to Dingwall and said "steps especially on the defensive side" since the loan switch.
While admitting clubs are keeping tabs on the youngster after his breakthrough into the Premiership strugglers first-team, he revealed the teenager is focussed on impressing the next permanent Celtic boss.
Hjelde hopes to make his breakthrough into the first-team starting line-up having been "thrown to the wolves" in the relegation scrap.
He said: "There have been several clubs over a long period.
"I do not know how specific it was, but there is a bit of interest when you play in a top league at the age of 17.
"Now he is excited to see what happens at Celtic. The club is currently led by John Kennedy, awaiting a permanent manager solution.
"It will be exciting with Celtic, we do not know who will come in as the new manager.
"He must be in good shape after the summer break and impress a new manager who has probably not seen him before. If he manages to play for Celtic when he is 17-18 years old, it is very strong.
"I think it's easier to play for Celtic, where you have the ball 70 percent of the time, than for Ross County.
"It is a physically tough league where you have to stand up for yourself.
"It has been the perfect challenge, he has really tried and been thrown to the wolves and fought for his life. It has been optimal."
