Tony Mowbray has assured Chris Killen he has a future at Celtic - if the striker continues to produce the sparkling form which earned Mowbray his first win as Hoops boss.
The New Zealand international stole the show with two goals in three minutes as the Glasgow giants romped to a 3-0 win over Brisbane Roar in a pre-season friendly in Australia.
The victory ensured the Mowbray era at Celtic got off to a winning start and did Killen's chances of forcing his way into his new manager's plans next season no harm at all.
The pair are no strangers to each other, with Mowbray signing Killen for Hibernian back in 2006, and he sees no reason why the player cannot have a role to play under the new regime at Parkhead.
"I know Chris Killen can score goals," he said.
"He's physically very, very strong and a team player. If he carries on in the same vein as he did today, will he have a future? Yes.
"Everyone has got an opportunity, the strikers ultimately get judged by the goals they score and their general team play and I think Chris is good at all of those things.
"He knows he's got a fight on his hands to get the minutes on the pitch to be able to do the damage.
"He's a good lad and a good professional. The best teams have competition for places and Chris Killen will hopefully intensify that competition for our club."
Killen has so far failed to hold down a regular first-team spot at Celtic since his switch from Hibs two years ago and spent the second half of last season on loan at Norwich.
He made just four substitute appearances with the Canaries and will be more determined than ever to make his mark at Celtic when the new campaign gets under way.
However, the arrival of Marc-Antoine Fortune - who played under Mowbray while on loan at West Brom last season - means competition for places is likely to be even tougher.
Fortune was signed in a deal reported to be worth £3.8million from Nancy last week and is a player Mowbray clearly rates highly.
Scott McDonald and Georgios Samaras will also be keen to make an impression on the new boss and Killen admits he is bracing himself for another battle for first-team action.
"Being at such a big club, there is competition for places all around the field," he said.
"We've got four good strikers at the club and there are plenty more coming through.
"You've got to keep on your toes, work hard and keep your head down."
The victory ensured the Mowbray era at Celtic got off to a winning start and did Killen's chances of forcing his way into his new manager's plans next season no harm at all.
The pair are no strangers to each other, with Mowbray signing Killen for Hibernian back in 2006, and he sees no reason why the player cannot have a role to play under the new regime at Parkhead.
"I know Chris Killen can score goals," he said.
"He's physically very, very strong and a team player. If he carries on in the same vein as he did today, will he have a future? Yes.
"Everyone has got an opportunity, the strikers ultimately get judged by the goals they score and their general team play and I think Chris is good at all of those things.
"He knows he's got a fight on his hands to get the minutes on the pitch to be able to do the damage.
"He's a good lad and a good professional. The best teams have competition for places and Chris Killen will hopefully intensify that competition for our club."
Killen has so far failed to hold down a regular first-team spot at Celtic since his switch from Hibs two years ago and spent the second half of last season on loan at Norwich.
He made just four substitute appearances with the Canaries and will be more determined than ever to make his mark at Celtic when the new campaign gets under way.
However, the arrival of Marc-Antoine Fortune - who played under Mowbray while on loan at West Brom last season - means competition for places is likely to be even tougher.
Fortune was signed in a deal reported to be worth £3.8million from Nancy last week and is a player Mowbray clearly rates highly.
Scott McDonald and Georgios Samaras will also be keen to make an impression on the new boss and Killen admits he is bracing himself for another battle for first-team action.
"Being at such a big club, there is competition for places all around the field," he said.
"We've got four good strikers at the club and there are plenty more coming through.
"You've got to keep on your toes, work hard and keep your head down."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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