The departure of Ange Postecoglou to Tottenham, Aaron Mooy’s retirement, Harry Kewell’s move to Japan, Marco Tilio’s return to Melbourne City on loan and youth team coach Stuart McLaren’s switch to Northern Ireland women has left 19-year-old defender Liam Bonetig as the last man standing.

And even the Western Sydney Wanderers product - who headed to Glasgow last September on a three-year deal - has been limited of late by a niggling ankle problem which has cast a shadow on his progress with the U-23s.

While he strives to get on top of the issue, Bonetig has continued to play but also visited a specialist last week in a bid to find a solution. 

Despite the problem, Bonetig’s relish at being on the roster at one of world football’s iconic clubs remains palpable.

“We see the first team every day, and there are times I’ve trained with them - it gives you a taste of it and you realise you’re not that far off,” Bonetig told FTBL.

“A couple of the boys from the U-23s are getting minutes now under Brendan Rodgers and they’re always looking for the youngsters to push on.

“It’s such a big club and the competition is massive with a first team squad of around 35. When you train with the senior side you see it: the level is quicker, sharper and stronger. It’s the little details like the passing, the communication - there are rarely any mistakes.

“It’s been a good test and good experience.”

Daniel Arzani, another to have come and gone from Celtic Park, never found his way back into senior team calculations after rupturing his ACL on debut, and Bonetig is under no illusions how exacting it will be to graduate to the main stage.

“Being at a club this size the standards are so high, a lot of it is off the field doing all the right things so you’re body is right for training each day and the next game,”he added. 

“Coming here on trial initially opened my eyes to how big Celtic are and I think I’ve settled in pretty well.

“The way of playing throughout the club is out from the back, and that suits me as a ball playing centre half.”

Bonetig’s game plan over the coming months is straightforward. 

“First I want to get the ankle sorted, then have a good a pre-season as I can,” he said.

“Perhaps halfway through next season, if I can’t break into the senior squad here maybe get a loan elsewhere to experience some first team football.

“That’s what you often see happen here - it’s really a stepping stone towards the first team.”