Celtic academy graduate Adam Montgomery has been nominated among four other players for Scottish Football Writers’ Young Player of the Year. Among others nominated were highly touted Motherwell right back Max Johnston, Dundee midfielder Lyall Cameron and Albion Rovers striker Charlie Reilly.
Montgomery spent last season on loan at an abysmal Aberdeen side who finished just six points off the drop, unsurprisingly he struggled too at times.
However, it has been a different story this season for the Scotland U21 international. Although operating in a St Johnstone side that has been poor at times, Montgomery has been a shining light in the eyes of St Johnstone fans, with many keen to see the Livingston native return to Perth next season.
With Alexandro Bernabei’s more than underwhelming performances in a Hoops shirt at Ibrox, it will be interesting to see if Ange opts to keep Montgomery at the club to fight for second choice at left back next season.
When comparing the two in the Premiership this season, Bernabei has unsurprisingly had more goal contributions while playing for the best team in the country, with four goal contributions compared to Montgomery’s one.
However, stats from the football app FotMob paint a different picture, Montgomery has held a 69% dribbles success rate while Bernabei has completed just 39% successful dribbles. For a player who was brought in for his specific ability to carry the ball out from defence under pressure, this reads for grim viewing.
Ange Postecoglou may not be overly impressed by Bernabei’s first season at the club and may even look elsewhere this summer for further quality at left back. However, given the near four-million-pound outlay spent on the Argentinian and the common conception that South Americans do usually struggle in their first year in Europe, it is likely he will be given further opportunities in a Celtic shirt next season with the hope he can push Greg Taylor for his starting role.
With three games remaining in the 2022/23 premiership season, the performances of both players in those games could go a long way in deciding where they play their football next season.
James French
