Gifted Edinburgh Hibs youth player moves to Celtic at…

Gifted Edinburgh Hibs youth player moves to Celtic at just 10 years of age

Schoolboy and young Hibs player Conlan Smith is celebrating after signing a pro youth contract with Celtic.

After being wooed by the Hoops, the youngster, who turns 11 on Saturday, has turned down the chance to stay at Scottish Premiership rivals Hibernian where he has spent the past year following his move from local club Gartcairn.

Celtic went on to "roll out the red carpet" for the talented left-sided defender, who can play at centre-half or wing back. Proud dad John admitted it was a tough phone call to make to Edinburgh's Hibs but told Lanarkshire Live Sport how Celtic gave his son the VIP treatment before signing the deal.

Conlan has signed a two-year deal with the team and he will begin training with the Scottish champions' youth setup from next week, as the Daily Record reports.

Following the signing, he walked out onto the turn and experienced a goosebumps moment as he saw his name on the big screen, welcoming him to the club. He was accompanied by John, mum Kirsty and sister Ebony.

John explained: "In mid-December I got a phone call from Hibs saying Celtic were interested in Conlan. That blew us away, we were a bit taken aback by it.

"A couple of weeks later we spoke to Hibs and they were desperate to keep Conlan but they also gave us permission to speak to Celtic.

"Celtic acted very quickly and we were invited into Celtic Park on December 21.

"We were greeted at reception and from thereon he got treated like a first team player.

"It was so surreal for all of us. He got a private tour round the stadium, they took him onto the pitch and he got taken to one of the executive boxes for lunch, where we all had a chat.

He was given the VIP treatment when signing (Daily Record)

"They did a presentation on their academy and what they wanted to see him achieve with them.

"But they never put any pressure on him and let us go away and have a think about it.

"The next morning, Conlan got out of bed and told us he was going to go for it.

"When he came in to sign, he got presented with his own strip, signed his contract and they took him out onto the park where they had his name on the big screen.

"They really rolled the red carpet out for him."

John added: "It was a dream come true and one that will live with the family forever.

"We know it's a hard journey to make it and this is just the start for him, but where he has come in a short space of time is great and we are super proud of him."

Conlan started out at Airdrie outfit Gartcairn as a five-year-old and in January last year he and his friend Ayden Gallagher were both snapped up by the Hibees.

Since joining the Edinburgh club, St Aloysius Primary School pupil Conlan caught the eye with his performances and the move to Parkhead was put in motion when he impressed Celtic scouts earlier this season.

John revealed: "Conlan has been moved up a few times at Hibs this season to play with the older age group.

"He played against Celtic as well and had a great game so we had an idea Celtic were interested after that game.

"The scouts came to watch him in a game against Hearts after that and he had a great game, scored a goal, so it all went from there.

"He is leaving a great team behind at Hibs, where he has made many good friends for life, so it was a massive decision for him.

"Hibs and Celtic were so professional and it was one of the toughest calls I've had to make, telling Hibs he would be leaving.

"He goes into Celtic this week to start his training and hopefully he kicks on."

Conlan is expected to start St Margaret's High School in Airdrie this summer and then transfer to St Ninians in Kirkintilloch, who partner with Celtic's Youth Academy, in third year to allow him to combine his studies with training at Lennoxtown.