Celtics have a variety of depth to choose from across the field, and Alex Valle got his first taste of the action for the Bhoys against Falkirk last weekend in the Premier Sports Cup.
Giving Greg Taylor a well-deserved rest, the summer loan recruit played around an hour before being taken off for his counterpart in an eventual 5-2 victory.
Joining from Barcelona, Valle managed to record an assist on his debut at Celtic Park, which is a starting point amid his overall performance being a bit of a mixed bag in truth.
However, at 20 years old, he is still a work in progress, and there were some positive early inklings as he looks to put it all together, something Brendan Rodgers has full belief in him doing.
He stated post-match: “He’s a good kid and he’s only young. He’s settled in really well into the city and the club. He’s there for us when he’s needed.
After enjoying his debut in Celtic colours, Valle has since taken to Instagram to thank supporters for their welcoming nature.
Alex Valle takes to Instagram after Celtic debut
Posting a selection of photos on the social media platform, Valle delivered a grateful message to the fans after making his first appearance for the Bhoys in cup action.
He stated: “Debut in Paradise! Thanks for the warm welcome and see you all in the next round!.”
It is refreshing to see Valle interacting with supporters on social media after playing his part against Falkirk. Undoubtedly, he will continue to improve over the coming weeks, but getting your first outing out of the way is a monkey off his back, given the pressure of integrating into a new squad.
Rodgers admitted that he may have made too many changes last weekend, contributing to the overall balance of play against a spirited opponent.
The important thing to remember is that it won’t occur too often, so expect the La Masia talent to be around more familiar first-team faces the next time he is selected.
If anything, Valle will view his debut as something to build on at Celtic. Brought in as someone with a high ceiling, he will be excited to properly settle in over the coming months as the fixtures come thick and fast.
