Celtic youngster Francis Turley has disclosed that theRangers were interested in signing him before he joined the Scottish Premiership champions’ youth academy…
However, the teenager maintains that joining Celtic’s Glasgow rivals was never an option for him. A lifelong Celtic supporter, Francis Turley, 19, signed with the Hoops in the summer of 2022 on a three-year contract.
A crucial player for Celtic’s B team this season
He has since become a crucial player for Celtic’s B team, while also gaining experience in European competition through the UEFA Youth League. His only first-team appearance came in a cameo Scottish Premiership outing against St Mirren.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Turley said: “Everyone from where I am from supported Celtic so signing for them was a bit mad.”
“I had a few options, a few in Scotland — Aberdeen and theRangers — and a few in England — Ipswich, Burnley and others. But I wanted the Celtic move to work out.”
“theRangers wasn’t going to happen, no chance”
“theRangers wasn’t going to happen, no chance. It’s always hard when you move over, that’s the reality of it. But I had stayed in the JD Academy in Jordanstown for two years from 14 to 16 five nights a week and that helped me.”
‘I started playing for Ardoyne Youth Club’
“Moving to a club in England or Scotland is everything you want, and you have to give it your best shot. If you work hard, the rewards are there, and we want to be footballers. I started playing for Ardoyne Youth Club when I was around six-years-old. I played there for about six years before joining Cliftonville.”
“After two seasons I moved to Glentoran and then after another two years I moved over to Celtic. I trained with the Glens first team but never made a senior debut.”
“Celtic had noticed me playing for Northern Ireland”
He added: “Celtic had noticed me playing for Northern Ireland and had been interested for a good while. A scout watched me play for the Glens and I was invited over for trials.”
“I was only 16 when the trials happened”
“I was only 16 when the trials happened and an opportunity to move to Scotland. I was a Cliftonville fan so that was an unreal time for me. Glentoran were one of the best teams in the country so that helped me as well. It worked out well.”
Conor Spence
A crucial player for Celtic’s B team this season…has been Daniel Cummings – now pick him ya eejits!
Don’t think it’s ever happened, but why not sell to another SPL side , with option written in to buy back in a few years time .
These kids get the experience/ exposure… and we’re safe in the knowledge we can always have them back should we desire .
Don’t think it’s ever happened, but why not sell to another SPL side , with option written in to buy back in a few years time .
These kids get the experience/ exposure… and we’re safe in the knowledge we can always have them back should we desire .