SOME Celtic fans probably harboured aspirations of seeing Manchester United players in the flesh this season. This, though, probably wasn’t what they had in mind. Just a few days after the prospect of welcoming the elite of European football to Celtic Park on Champions League duty was snatched away from them, Celtic looked to expedite the healing process by announcing Tyler Blackett would be moving north from Old Trafford on a season-long loan.

The pain of that aggregate play-off loss to Malmo was still palpable on Saturday, even during a fairly comfortable victory over St Johnstone that sent Celtic to the top of the SPFL Premiership table for the first time since the second game of the season. They still afforded a warm welcome to Blackett whose deal was hastily announced during the first half of the match, allowing the player to take a bow at half-time. He becomes the second arrival from United this season, following in the footsteps of former youth team-mate Saidy Janko who agreed a permanent deal earlier in the summer.

The chances of the pair being reunited in the Celtic first-team look promising right now. Janko has become Ronny Deila’s first-choice at right-back with Mikael Lustig injured and Darnell Fisher sent on loan to St Johnstone, while Blackett may find himself drafted in to central defence should Virgil van Dijk move on before tomorrow’s transfer deadline as seems likely. Even if the Dutchman ends up staying then Blackett’s versatility could see him instead challenge Emilio Izaguirre and Charlie Mulgrew at left-back.

Still just 21, Blackett has already played a dozen times for the United first team under Louis van Gaal and also benefitted from loan spells with Blackpool and Birmingham City. Janko thinks Celtic have done well to land such a promising talent.

“I think he’s just a great addition to the team because he brings pace and he brings power, and that’s what we need,” said the Swiss. “We played a lot with each other at United. He can play centre-back or left-back so he will be great for the club. I think it’s definitely a big transfer but Celtic is a big club so it’s not a surprise.”

Janko describes Blackett as a good friend – “we always chill,” he added for confirmation – and so it was no surprise that the England under-21 player contacted him looking for the lowdown when it first became clear that Blackett could be heading to Celtic.

“Last week he texted me and asked me about the club, about the situation, how it is and everything,” added Janko. “I told him good things. He was enthusiastic straight away - I didn’t have to convince him or anything. He just said “I might come and hopefully the deal will go smoothly” and now he is here so I’m glad. It’s not up to me [to say whether it could become a permanent move] but it would be great for the team of course. We will see how it goes and if he does well we’ll see if he fancies staying. I would be thrilled.”

And could he be van Dijk’s replacement? “Yeah, he can do that. He can play on the left-hand side or in the centre. I’m sure he will do well.”

Janko’s progress is a sign that young players will get their chance under Deila. If there were eyebrows raised at the decision to allow Adam Matthews to move to Sunderland without an experienced replacement being signed, then the Swiss under-21 player has quickly show why such a recruitment wasn’t necessary.

He is respectful of Lustig and his plight but hopes he can seize the chance he’s been presented with.”It’s been very good,” he added. “The manager gives me his trust. The team dynamic is good as well. I’m enjoying it at the moment. Mikael’s injury has given me a chance but I just hope that he gets back to fitness as soon as possible because we need everyone, every team member is important. I hope he will have a full recovery.”

There will be further former United players appearing at Celtic Park in the coming weeks. The Europa League draw has paired Celtic with Fenerbahce whose summer transfer splurge included recruiting Robin van Persie and Nani from Old Trafford. Janko is eagerly anticipating meeting up with them in Glasgow on October 1.

“Fenerbahce have van Persie and Nani who are obviously ex-team-mates so I’m looking forward to that,” he added. “I trained with them a couple of times and they are good players. It’s some experience to train with someone like van Persie. He is a superstar. But we have some here as well!”

Saturday’s victory arrived courtesy of goals from Leigh Griffiths, Tom Rogic and Charlie Mulgrew after a Dedryck Boyata own goal had given St Johnstone the lead. In difficult circumstances, Janko felt it was what Celtic needed.

“The lads showed great character. The first 20 minutes weren’t that great but then we came again and won comfortably.”