B-Team stars Dane Murray, Owen Moffat and Joey Dawson have all had first team exposure this season for Celtic, meanwhile more recently Ben Doak has followed suit.
Yet according to Tommy McIntyre who saw his B-Team charges claim second place in the Lowland League, with a come from behind 3-1 win over Stirling University, Ben Summers could be the next one to make the step up to Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Speaking to Celtic TV, following the Hoops win that puts them below Bonnyrigg Rose but ahead of theRangers in second spot in the Lowland League, McIntyre took time out to praise Summers as well as pointing to the influence both Ben Doak and Adam Brooks had in a fine comeback performance from the young Hoops.
“He’s a talented kid, he’s been working really hard. We know he’s still got a long way to go in terms of having to bulk up a little bit, but he’s got great footwork and he knows where the goal is. He’s got a good career ahead of himself.
“Ben Doak is an outstanding player. He’s a kind of old-fashioned winger that eliminates full-backs and I certainly wouldn’t like to play against Ben Doak, he gives you so much.
“We said to the players before the game, trust them (Brooks and Doak) because the ball is going to come in and you’ll get chances. That’s what happened. He provides strikers with opportunities to score goals.”
It was Doak who supplied Celtic’s first goal yesterday, in a match on Celtic’s Pass to Paradise, with Ben Summers supplying the finish, and Summers turned supplier for the second as Adam Brooks grabbed the second, before the final goal was scored by Brooks again, but it was clear it was Ben Summers who caught Tommy McIntyre’s attention yesterday.
📰 Tommy McIntyre: Pleased with character from his young Celts!
🗣️”He’s a kind of old-fashioned player that eliminates the full-backs and I certainly wouldn’t like to play against Doak. He gives you so much.”#LowlandLeague 🍀 #CelticFChttps://t.co/GabbQEfo4G
— Celtic FC B (@CelticFCB) February 28, 2022
The Lowland League experiment certainly seems to be bearing fruit for Celtic. After taking a while to find their feet, the Hoops have been incredibly consistent, and although finishing top of the table is a near impossibility, to lie second is an impressive achievement.
However, the real test of this experiment is whether it readies players for first team football, and in terms of that it certainly seems to be doing the trick as it appears Ben Summers may be the next one to make the step up, meaning five B Team players will have had first team exposure this season – an impressive number.
The arrangement for Celtic B to play in the Lowland League is currently on a one season trail basis, however it appears having competitive football is having a positive impact on player progression, as such it will surely be something Celtic will look to continue if at all possible.
🎥 B team manager Tommy McIntyre talking to @CelticTV after their victory over Stirling Uni in the #LowlandLeague!
🍀3⃣-1⃣⚫️ #COYBIG 🍀 #CelticFC pic.twitter.com/hf7SmuZQXi
— Celtic FC B (@CelticFCB) February 27, 2022
🗞️ Match Report: Celtic FCB 3⃣-1⃣ Stirling University#LowlandLeague 🍀 #CelticFChttps://t.co/pq99tG6C1l
— Celtic FC B (@CelticFCB) February 27, 2022
Niall J
