Rangers winger Michael O'Halloran has explained that Celtic helped him to develop as a young player.

The 25-year-old, who joined Rangers from St Johnstone on a four-and-a-half-year deal during the January transfer window, is a product of Celtic’s youth system.




O'Halloran failed to break into the Hoops’ first team and left the club to join Bolton Wanderers as a 16-year-old.

During his time at the Macron Stadium, the Scot spent loan spells at Sheffield United, Carlisle United and Tranmere Rovers before signing permanently for St Johnstone in January 2014.
 


And O’Halloran, who insisted that he enjoyed his stint at Celtic, revealed that he played in the Old Firm derby for the Bhoys at youth level, with the Scot remembering coming up against his present team-mate Danny Wilson.

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"I was really young then but I enjoyed myself in the youth ranks at Celtic and they helped me develop as a young player", he was quoted as saying by the Herald Scotland.

"I look back and it was good for me. I did play against Rangers as a Celtic youth player. A couple of the boys, like Danny [Wilson], are in the dressing room here now.

“Every game means a lot to you as a young kid. You just want to go out there and play and the Old Firm is such a big game for the fans.

“It [crossing the divide] wasn’t a concern at all. It didn’t bother me and it’s been great so far."

O'Halloran, who will play no part in the Old Firm derby in the Scottish Cup semi-final next month as he is cup tied, has thus far made seven league appearances for Rangers, scoring once.