After spending time working on the training ground after their last game over a week ago against East Kilbride, McManus was happy to see the hard work paying off.

“We are doing a lot of work trying to get the boys to believe in themselves just that wee bit more, in everything that we are doing,” he said.

“We have spent a lot of time working on the build-up, and Darren had done a lot of work on that too during the week.

'So it’s great to see that, and the rewards they get from that.'

“Some of the play once we did get into the attacking half was a lot more fluid and there was a lot more quickness within our play.

“That got us into the top end of the pitch a lot quicker. We just need to be a wee bit more ruthless in the final third.

“One of the biggest positives was seeing the likes of Magnus Mackenzie and Ben Quinn coming back and getting minutes as well.”

Following the victory at the Excelsior Stadium, the Celts aren’t back in action until later this month due to the upcoming international break.

However, it is set to be an exciting period for the young Celtic side, with matches in the Premier League International Cup and UEFA Youth League to come.

With a number of big games on the horizon, McManus is hoping that his side can take confidence from the performance as they eye up more positive displays in the coming weeks and months.

He said: “We spoke to the players before the game and during the week about them coming up to one of the most exciting parts of the season for us.

“You have got the UEFA Youth League and Premier League International Cup games to look forward too.

'That is going to take a lot out of the players, but it’s important you go into these games full of confidence.'

“We need numbers back as we've had a few injuries this year so far. So it will be good to get numbers back in.

“But the energy and the effort levels the boys put in were terrific, so it was a really positive day for us.”

Stephen McManus: It is great to see the boys get rewarded for their hard work