In Billy McNeill and Virgil van Dijk, Celtic new boy Liam Scales couldn't do much better in looking for some examples to follow.
McNeill, a giant of Hoops history, and van Dijk a more recent hero. One similarity they both share with Scales is they are all guardians of the iconic No 5 jersey.
It could be perceived as a burden by some, but for the 23-year-old it's a challenge to replicate what has gone before.
Speaking to fan media, Scales, one of 12 new faces in Ange Postecoglou's Parkhead revolution, took a moment to admire McNeill's statue outside the stadium before fawning over Liverpool defender van Dijk as someone he'd love to emulate.
He said: "The obvious one for me as a defender in recent times would be Virgil van Dijk.
"He's been one of the best players in the world over the last few years. The time he spent at Celtic he was successful, he developed and became a top player.
"I remember seeing him at Celtic and thinking, 'he's unbelievable.'
"In recent times it would be him (that I would look up to), the levels he's gone to, and how Celtic helped him get to those levels."
Scales appears to have checked in at Celtic Park as competition for Greg Taylor at left-back having played there a great deal for Shamrock.
However, the former Republic of Ireland youth star, who answered a question in the Irish tongue, says he's capable of playing all across the back four for the Bhoys as they look to wrestle back the Premiership title from rivals Rangers.
Scales added: "I'm comfortable in both positions, probably just as comfortable as each other.
"I've played left wing-back, I've played in a back three, and I've played both left-back and centre-back in a back four.
"I suppose I love playing centre-back and that's probably my most natural position.
"But after being thrown out left wing-back at Shamrock Rovers for injuries, and I've played there for Ireland Under-21s and at club level, I think I can do both equally as well.
"I'm more naturally a centre-half but I've adapted to do both."
