The Youth Interview Savour The Moment

Grant Savoury has loved every minute of first-team training so far, and hopes to be more involved with the senior squad this year

- Joe Donnelly

WITH a Glasgow Cup victory under his belt from last season, and a handful of call-ups to first-team training – both at Lennoxtown and the club’s pre-season summer camp in Austria – Grant Savoury’s Hoops career is going from strength to strength.

His trajectory includes a debut at Paradise against Stade Rennais earlier this month, on as a second-half substitute for Anthony Ralston, and now the 19-year-old is keen to keep himself in Neil Lennon’s long-term plans.

The Celtic View caught up with Savoury to discuss pre-season, the mental and physical challenges of upping his game and the progression opportunities at Celtic’s Youth Academy.

HOW WAS THE AUSTRIAN TRAINING CAMP FOR YOU?

It was brilliant. It was also the first time I’ve been away with the first team, so I was obviously keen to set off on the right foot. It was hard, especially with the weather as it was so hot, but I really enjoyed it.

HOW DIFFICULT IS IT FOR THE DEVELOPING PLAYERS STEPPING UP TO SENIOR TEAM TRAINING?

It’s challenging. One of the things you first notice is the tempo of everything, and you just cannot switch off. You’ve always got to be on your toes, checking your shoulder, and it’s always the little things that you don’t always think matter too much that become more important when you step up to that level.

IS THAT MENTALLY CHALLENGING TOO, THE FACT THAT YOU’RE ALWAYS SWITCHED ON?