Starlet Leo Hjelde admits he wants to play a key role for Celtic next season "if it's possible" under the next Parkhead boss.
The 17-year-old has impressed for Premiership strugglers Ross County since leaving Glasgow's east end on loan.
With his focus on the survival fight, Hjelde hopes he is catching the eye of whoever steps into the hot seat at his parent club.
The Norwegian has lifted the lid on his behind the scenes relationship with first-team star Kristoffer Ajer and hope his advice can help push him on under the incoming gaffer.
He told Youth Football Scotland TV : “Kris (Ajer) has been really good with me.
"We’ve had a lot of chats, and I saw him every single day, had lunch with him as well. He really helped me with settling in and staying calm. If I needed any advice I’d speak to him.
"I need to create my own pathways. I look up to Kris so far as an inspiration, but in the end I have to make my own pathway.
“The first-team at Celtic is world-class. They play Europa League, and should be playing Champions League because of the size of the club.
“Next year I want to contribute to the team, if it’s possible.”
County boss John Hughes claimed Hjelde could become the next Virgil van Dijk this week after helping the side keep their survival hopes alive.
While happy to be compared to the former Hoops man, he inists he has a long way to go before reaching the level of the Liverpool star.
Hjelde added: “It’s a good feeling. I think that’s a big stretch, but obviously if he sees something in me that makes him say that then it’s unbelievable and a really nice thing."
