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Scott Robertson was a starter for the Gills again in midweek and boss Steve Evans reckons he’ll be in Celtic’s first team next season.
The 18-year-old loanee is yet to play in the Scottish Premiership for the reigning champions but Evans knows Celtic well - he’s a boyhood fan - and believes the midfielder has got what it takes to play in the top-flight.
Robertson has been used sparingly for the Gills in an effort not to inflict injury on a young player who has had little first team action. Prior to his loan he had a handful of Challenge Cup appearances to his name and a game in the Europa League.
Speaking after the Gills beat Bristol Rovers on Wednesday night, Evans said: “I cannot give any bigger testament to an 18-year-old kid in Scott Robertson than to say he will play in the Celtic first team next season.
“He might not play every week but he will play for them.
“I know he is very highly thought of by all the coaching staff there. They had a representative at the game and he would have gone away thinking, ‘we have a good player there’, but they know it anyway.
“I thought he played with composure at times, with grit and determination, which is perhaps why they sent him here when three points matter, rather than playing academy games.
“I don’t think there was one payer who went back on the coach for us that had been on the pitch that hadn’t given everything for the cause.”
Robertson has played nine league games for the Gills, starting six. He’s one of six players on loan at the club and Evans has been cautious with niggles, keen to look after the players as best he can. With only five loan players allowed in a matchday squad he's rotated those involved.
Arsenal’s Zech Medley has missed the last two after suffering a deep cut from a challenge against AFC Wimbledon.
Evans said: “If you are given the responsibility by Glasgow Celtic and Arsenal to look after players, to help them develop, to mature them, especially lads living away for the first time, then you have a responsibility like a manager and like a parent.”
More on the Gills;
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Reaction: We could have won by more
Report: Bristol Rovers 0 Gillingham 2