Anthony Ralston's rise from Celtic outcast to first-team mainstay in season 2021/22 shocked many - but Laurie Ellis wasn't one of them.
The former Queen's Park head coach was assistant manager to Csaba László at Dundee United when they brought him in during the 2017/18 season on loan.
Arriving in March, Ralston couldn't help them return to the Premiership as they suffered a play-off loss to Livingston, but Ellis was still impressed.
It was a beneficial move for a youngster who by that point had already come face-to-face with the likes of PSG in the Champions League.
Previously on loan at Queen's Park before a move to St Johnstone in 2019, Ralston looked likely to depart his boyhood club last summer before Ange Postecoglou handed him a shock chance, which he grasped with both hands, eventually claiming the Premiership title.
And Ellis, speaking exclusively to Glasgow Live sport, says the athletic traits that saw the 23-year-old contribute to five goals and nine assists from defence with Celtic were present at Tannadice.
He explained: "Anthony had been on loan at Queen's Park so he'd been out already. Physically, he was a really strong young man. We knew he'd come through his early experience very well and he's always been well regarded at Parkhead.
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"We knew he was a fantastic trainer with a fantastic attitude. He'd proven himself a fantastic young prospect and we were delighted to get him at Dundee United.
"He'd had a bit of profile with his performances before his loan move to United. He had very good experiences as a young man moving into the starting XI at Celtic.
"He had a few high profile moments and that's an amazing thing to go through as a young player. He fell down the pecking order slightly then and we were delighted to get a player with first team experience at Parkhead.
"From his point of view, it was a key loan deal for him. He had to prove his worth and the player he could be in another team and another system.
"That gave him a better chance of forcing his way into the plans at Parkhead.
"Dundee United is a big club and coming on loan from a club like Celtic means there’s an expectation you are going to make the team better every week.
"There was professional pressure on him which is a good, healthy pressure for a young man and one that definitely helped his development"
Ralston's remarkable progress at Parkhead over the last 12 months has earned him a call to the Scotland national team, who he netted his first goal for in a 2-0 success over Armenia last week.
Ellis was in attendance for the match and insists everything his former player has achieved and will go on to is all down to hard work.
Celtic handed the 23-year-old a new deal until 2025 during their Premiership title-winning campaign but it might only be a matter of time before other suitors take note, even if he's happy right now.
Explaining his work-rate, Ellis said: "It's testament to his character and testament to his ability that he's coped with the ups and down of football.
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"I have listened to a few of Ange Postecoglou's comments about Anthony and he says it's all down to Tony. You have to earn that opportunity and he has done that. It's not happened by chance.
"His attitude and temperament, they are all things Anthony Ralston has put together and Ange Postecoglou really likes it.
"I'm delighted for him. I really enjoyed working with him and he's forging a great career for himself. He's an excellent young man. It's great to see all his hard work and dedication has paid off.
"It can't be easy to force your way into a starting XI at Celtic. It's no surprise to me even if it might surprise others, as I know how hard he works.
"He has signed his new long-term deal and is obviously happy to continue his development at Celtic. He wouldn't have signed that deal thinking about other things.
"If he keeps playing like he is and stepping up to the international stage and performing, interest in Tony will continue to grow every week. I don't know what his plans are but I imagine he's very happy where he is."
For Ellis, he is taking time continuing to learn and develop after his spell as boss at Queen's Park ended in December 2021, with the Spiders eventually gaining promotion to the Championship in May.
Having worked across all levels of the game, the 42-year-old has an open mind when discussing what comes next.
On his future, he added: "I've taken in a lot of games and have continued working behind the scenes to develop further and make sure I am continually learning.
I was very fortunate recently to have a brilliant club visit which gave me another excellent insight into a top operation. Things like that make sure I am developing. I'm looking forward to my next opportunity.
"I feel I have a very varied skillset, therefore I have always been open to lots of different things. I have had many differing roles in football, working in performance schools all the way through to working with elite first-team players.
"Working across the whole age demographic and completing my UEFA Pro Licence has given me valuable experience and the ability to step into a number of different roles, which makes me look forward to my next challenge."
