Celtic starlet Liam Henderson believes youth football in Scotland is on a high at club and international level - and aims to prove it by breaking into the Hoops first-team.

He was one of the standout performers as John Kennedy's under-19 Bhoys outclassed the Ajax youth academy side on Tuesday, racking up a 4-1 win at Almondvale.

Henderson was also part of the Scotland Under-19 side which - along with their Under-17 counterparts - qualified for the Uefa European Championship elite round after a 1-1 draw with Germany earlier this month.

The 17-year-old said: "Scotland has talented players and we passed Ajax off the park.

"I don't think we get enough praise for the technical ability of the boys coming through, but obviously everyone at Celtic is technically good enough to play.

"At international level, also, it was some experience to play in Belarus and get a draw against Germany."

The youngster is highly rated by the coaching staff at Celtic, and aims to bolster his soaring reputation by making his senior debut this season - following in the footsteps of Darnell Fisher, who made the step up against Hibs last week.

Henderson, who has worked with the senior set-up in training and was on the club's pre-season tour of Germany, said: "I'd love to make my debut. It is the dream to play for Celtic at Celtic Park, but I need to keep working hard and impress the manager."