Kilmarnock loanee Oliver Bainbridge will ‘cherish’ playing at Celtic Park.
The teenager joined Killie on loan from English Championship side Sunderland two days before their opening weekend clash with the Hoops.
Bainbridge was thrown in at the deep end in his side’s first league game of the new season, with Derek McInnes giving him the nod at Parkhead.
Although Killie eventually lost the game by four goals to nil against Brendan Rodgers' side, the 19-year-old played the full match and will remember it forever.
Bainbridge recently spoke to Sunderland’s official club website to lift the lid on his debut.
“The experience was one I’ll cherish forever,” he said in an interview with his parent club. I signed on the Friday, travelled to meet the team on the Saturday and the manager just asked me how I’d feel going straight in for the league opener against Celtic. I obviously said ‘yes’.
“It was the noise that shocked me. You always know it will be a good atmosphere, but it takes you a few minutes to adjust and focus on the game.”
Bainbridge eventually overcame his initial amazement at Celtic Park to complete a full 90.
It was a disappointing day at the office for his side, who the crashed out of Europe not long after.
Kilmarnock’s full focus is now on the domestic scene, with Bainbridge looking to impress in order to go back to the north east and make an impact in Sunderland’s first-team.
“I want to come back to Sunderland at the end of this spell as a better all-round player and person,” he said.
“This experience allows me to gain an understanding of the foundations of senior football.
“The hope is that all this learning will put me in good stead to fight for a place with the first-team next season."
