IT WASN'T just Cameron Harper's performances in training with the first team that convinced Neil Lennon to include the 18-year-old in the squad for Celtic's recent game against Dundee United at Tannadice.

The young winger's attitude and work ethic have helped him take a significant stride forward in his career and he's convinced that approach will help him continue his progression.

The young American has been living in Scotland for two years now after joining the Celtic Academy. Fittingly, it was Tommy Burns' son Jonny who set Harper off on his path to Celtic after spotting him training with the USA Under-16s squad in Florida back in 2017.

Harper moved across the Atlantic as a 16-year-old in the summer of 2018 to sign for the Celtic Academy after impressing the coaches during his two trials. He made good progress in his first season in the reserves and had even been called up to train with the first team on a few occasions last season.

When the coronavirus crisis brought football to an abrupt halt earlier this year, Harper returned home to California to be with his family. He was understandably disappointed at not being able to do what he loved. However, he put the time in lockdown to good use and has been rewarded for his dedication.

“I went straight back home to the US just before lockdown fully kicked in," said Harper in an exclusive interview with this week’s Celtic View. “I'm from a place called Costa Mesa, which is in between San Diego and Los Angeles.

"Not being able to play football was frustrating, but it was good to be with the family for a few months.

"I spent my time working hard and training every day. I worked with a personal trainer every morning and we worked on cardio and power-related stuff like sprints. Later in the afternoon I'd head out with my Dad and do some work with the ball.

“I also played some football with some friends and former team-mates some afternoons so I was able to get keep my sharpness up on the ball.

"I had so much free time at night so I used that to do strength work to try and bulk up a little. I did upper body and lower body stuff, but I didn't have a full gym at my home so it was more bodyweight stuff and using the medicine ball.

“I've put on around three kilos of muscle and I've noticed that's helped me handle the challenges of training with the first team better.

“I came back to Scotland at the end of July,” he added. “I received a call to tell me I was coming back to train with the first team. I was a little bit nervous but I had a few days to get my head around it.

"I hadn't talked much with anyone in the first team before, so coming to train with players I didn't know made me a bit nervous. I felt like I hadn't earned their respect yet but I told myself all I could do was come in, work hard and try to impress the coaches.

Read the full and exclusive interview with Cameron Harper ONLY in the latest issue of the Celtic View, on sale now.

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Celtic View interview: Cameron Harper on his Stateside training