The ever revolving door of Celtic’s Academy…
Celtic B kicked off the new Lowland league season (Scottish fifth tier) with a 1-0 victory over Cumbernauld Colts last Friday evening.
It is now three years since the restructuring of the Scottish football pyramid took place to allow Celtic B and theRangers B enter into the Lowland League, and it is safe to say it has been a resounding failure.
Celtic aimed to use this initiative to give valuable senior minutes to their academy talent in the hope of bridging the gap between the first team and youth teams, and giving their best talent more of a chance of making the first team grade at the club.
However, this has not transpired.
Celtic B did finish joint second in their inaugural season in Scotland’s fifth tier, but questions remained around the standard of football of the Lowland League heading into last season.
There was somewhat of a change of approach from those at the very top of the club with regards to the B team last year, with Celtic establishing an affiliate link with Austrian Second Division side Admira Wacker Modlin.
Matthew Anderson and Toby Oluwayemi headed to the Austrian side on loan last summer, with both players having varying degrees of success. Oluwayemi struggled with injury while Matthew Anderson endured a breakout season, even finishing in the Austrian Second Division team of the season.
The club’s ability to send players on loan to the Austrian side, where they would play at a higher level of football than the Lowland League, is certainly a positive and a tool that should be used by the club frequently now the link is in place.
However, questions remain surrounding the B team and what it’s purpose is now the club seemed to have swayed away from keeping its best talent operating in Scotland’s fifth tier.
Unlike in Portugal and Netherlands where the top clubs such as Benfica and Ajax have B team’s in their respective countries’ second tiers, this is not possible for Celtic B as they are ineligible for promotion or relegation.
Darren O’Dea was appointed Professional Player Pathway Manager in April with the aim of providing a clearer pathway to the first team for the club’s academy talent.
However, actions speak louder than words.
Rocco Vata became the latest of a long line of talented Celtic academy players to depart the club earlier this month, with Daniel Kelly looking like he will follow in Vata’s footsteps after repeatedly knocking back contract offers as he heads into the final five months of his contract.
Celtic can talk of providing “a pathway into the first team” all they want, but the reality is the club has very little evidence in doing so in recent history. The club’s reputation as one who gives opportunities to its own has no doubt took a significant hit.
Moving forward, utilising loans and the affiliate link with Admira Wacker Modlin seems the most beneficial way forward for developing the young talent at the club.
But given the must-win every game attitude and level of conservatism held by many involved in the club towards the club’s young players, it is difficult to see Celtic’s recent track record of bringing academy players through improving any time soon.
James French
This remains an issue that has been in existence within the club, for many a long year now imo?
The chances of ourselves ever producing the next Calmac or Forrest, as 1 club quality players for ourselves, within todays footballing landscape?
Possibly remains at zero, by the looks of things imo?
Best we can potentially expect is producing squad players for ourselves, which is important also?
Players like your ralston and Welsh will possibly never play at a club even close to ourselves size wise, yet still have a big role to offer ourselves all the same at present, regardless of the limited game time available to them?
That is a potential continuous pattern on show at present, without ever changing anytime soon either imo?
The age factor is becoming more of an issue than anything at present imo?
Young players at 18 now seem to be wanting 1st team football on a more regular basis, than we can seem to offer, due to the quality and demands of our club?
If they are still within the club around the 20 year old mark, then no longer eligible for lowland league?
But can they be regarded as good enough to be integrated into the 1st team squad?
Currently have the likes of Lawal, Anderson and Murray in such a position currently?
So for those 3, the best that can really be hoped for at present, is weather they can do a similar role for ourselves that a ralston or Welsh could do?
Yet the chances of any of them giving us the same returns as a Calmac or Forrest are near enough zero, due to the amount of interest and opportunities that can come there way, if they were to become regular starters for ourselves?
No real sign of that cycle changing either, especially with anyone before the 20 years of age?
Looking to take the fast track route elsewhere, like doak, vata and Kelly by the looks of things?
Sure Rodgers is well aware of the current situation and trying to take steps to improve matters for ourselves in the future?
But Scottish football doesn’t allow ourselves an easier development path either, and chances are, it won’t anytime soon either imo?
The biggest positive at present imo?
Is Rodgers is trying to address the issue within the club, even if it may take time to benefit ourselves hugely in the future?
Especially with Calmac and forrest not getting any younger either, and the 8 homegrown rule looks like remaining in place for some time to come still also?