Celtic duo Anthony Ralston and Greg Taylor proved their burgeoning value to manager Ange Postecoglou throughout a glorious Premiership title win.
Such was their outstanding form that Scotland boss Steve Clarke started them both in games during the Nations League programme.
Now former Celtic and Scotland skipper Tom Boyd believes the full-backs will target a step up the levels again to perform admirably in the rarefied air of the Champions League.
And he reckons the fact neither Ralston nor Taylor can lay claim to a guaranteed first-team place offers serious proof of the strength of the squad that Postecoglou is assembling.
Boyd has been delighted by the progress and influence of the duo since the arrival of the Aussie manager.
Ralston has, without question, been the biggest bonus for the Celtic fans given the fact his career at Parkhead looked done 12 months ago.
The defender’s chances of ever making a proper long-term breakthrough at his boyhood heroes appeared doomed until the Aussie arrived and offered him an opportunity.
Ralston’s story has been well told. The stunning displays. The contract extension. The Scotland selections. It needs no detailed recounting.
Nonetheless, the fact it is still having to be regularly noted just underlines its value and significance.
“Absolutely outstanding”, said Boyd. “He is in there on merit in terms of what we are seeing. That is him in competition with Josip Juranovic. It is no mean feat to be able to keep him out at times. I know Juranovic goes to left-back on occasion but he did that at the start.
“It is that squad game now. Anthony has put himself in a position to be considered a first-team player with the manager.
“That is all down to the faith the manager has in him, giving him belief. But it is also Anthony’s attitude and what he has done to get to that position.
“A few years ago everybody was writing him off, he was out on loan and it wasn’t working. He has come back in and it has clicked for him. He has come in and has improved dramatically.
“So much so he would be in the starting line-up and nobody would bat an eyelid.
“It is absolutely fantastic for Anthony what he has done.
“He is maybe an inspiration for other players who maybe fall by the wayside.”
Taylor’s excellent form is less of a shock.
He started with Postecoglou at a more-advanced position given the ex-Kilmarnock star was a regular in the side when available having been signed up by Neil Lennon.
But he has also stepped up his standards since the arrival of the new manager to become one of the key stars in the side’s title win.
Taylor has blossomed under Postecoglou’s new style of play and the burden of responsibility on his inverted full-backs.
The likes of Boli Bolongoli, Adam Montgomery and Liam Scales have been seen off in the fight for the left-back slot and Boyd believes there might be more to come.
He is full of admiration for Taylor’s work and said: “Can he surprise a few people in the Champions League? That will be his aim. He’s now playing international football.
“I wouldn’t imagine the Champions League is too different to that as you are facing some of the best players in the world there too. Admittedly, some teams might have more than most due to the quality but as he and Anthony have progressed, the next level is the Champions League.
“After playing in the Europa League, this is now the top echelon. You want to get there and test yourself so I’m sure Greg or Anthony, or whoever else is in there, will want to get to play and be a part of it because they are magnificent nights at Celtic.
“Whoever has been there and or has played in them will back the notion that Celtic Park nights are really special on those occasions.”
However, despite their rise in status and value to the squad, the challenge never stops at Celtic.
Juranovic will have his own strong claims to be first choice as he has emerged as a top-class Croatian international.
On the other side, Postecoglou is on the lookout for a left-back to challenge Taylor with Argentine Alexandro Bernabei among the names in the frame.
Boyd knows that might not be good news for the players in terms of their personal appearance statistics in the upcoming season.
But when it comes to the success of the entire group, it’s a blissful scenario for Celtic and the individuals who stand to benefit with more medals.
Boyd believes the fact two Scotland international starters aren’t nailed-on for places at their club is a great sign.
He said: “That shows you the depth we have in our squad which is absolutely fantastic to have and you want more. You are trying to strengthen every position and that’s where we are.
“We have players for positions and sadly we maybe didn’t always have that in the past, like the days when you relied on a Henrik Larsson because Tommy Boyd was playing at the back!”
