Daniel Kelly will be no Celtic hero as Brendan Rodgers clarifies contract stalemate

Brendan Rodgers explained why Daniel Kelly is no longer part of his first team squad and wished Rocco Vata well after he decided to reject the terms on offer at Celtic to instead see out his contract before signing for Watford at the start of this month.

Daniel Kelly  speaks with Brendan Rodgers,  Celtic v Dundee, Scottish Premiership, , Celtic Park,  – 28 February 2024. Photo Mark Runnacles/Shutterstock

Rodgers revealed after the midweek 6-4 win at Queen’s Park that he had offered Vata first team football this season as one of his three strikers and also that he reckons that the deal offered by Celtic to both young players who have come through the Celtic Academy have been excellent.

Vata has moved on with Rodgers wishing him well and Kelly looks to be going down a similar path with his current Celtic deal running out at the end of the year.

28th February 2024 Celtic Park,  Scottish Premiership Football, Celtic versus Dundee Daniel Kelly of Celtic shoots and scores for 7-0. Photo ActionPlus  David Young

“There’s no impasse as Daniel, like Rocco, he has been offered a deal which is valued and, with the greatest respect, I have worked with young players and I know the levels of young players and where they’re at from a technical perspective and a financial perspective. Both those boys have been offered deals by the club,” Brendan Rodgers said, as reported by Daily Record.

Kelly is of course free to speak to clubs now regarding a pre-contract and it might be better all round if a transfer can be agreed this summer. He certainly won’t be involved at Celtic, after making his debut under Rodgers last season.

 Daniel Kelly of Celtic is seen during the the Celtic v Buckie Thistle – Scottish Cup match at Celtic Park on January 21, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“Rocco was offered it and he was going to be one of the three strikers at Celtic and he decided that that wasn’t going to be for him. So he then leaves. That is absolutely fine and we wish him all the very best. Similarly Daniel has been offered a really, really good contract.

“A contract that would see him come into the first-team squad and play and perform and develop. I spoke with the agents and player some months back to say if we can’t tidy this up by summer, then it’s very hard to be with the team in pre-season,” Brendan said.

“I like Daniel but he has a lot of work to do and I feel that for him and the family, this is a great place for him to be able to do that.

“You’ve got a manager who sees a talent there, who sees the physicality he has and areas he needs to brush up. What a great club and place this is for him to be able to do that. If that’s not enough then that’s okay, absolutely fine. It’s disappointing that it hasn’t happened because he would have had a great opportunity this pre-season.”

Fabrizio Romano curiously got involved in the Rocco Vata contract stand-off with Celtic which led to his departure for Watford and the well-informed transfer expert journalist seemed to have had the inside track from the players side.

Many Celtic supporters will have noticed that this seems to be the case with Daniel Kelly too, with Romano posting about him earlier this week.

Celtic will receive a compensation fee for Vata of £237k – for twelve years of development. selling Kelly now for say £1m would be a better alternative. Whatever happens the clarity from the manager is both welcome and admirable while noting that both players absolutely have the right to determine their own futures in the game.

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About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

1 Comment

  1. “Kelly must go” I fought the board and the board lost. ECL winner with Alonso next season.