His loss – Celtic miss out on Bailey Rice

Celtic were monitoring Motherwell youngster Bailey Rice as the highly sought after midfielder was viewed as a potential addition to Ange Postecoglou’s roster this summer. However, it is not to be as Record Sport have confirmed that Rice has decided to move across town to the dark side and aid his future development at Ibrox.

Rice was being courted by a number of clubs both in Scotland and England, as the talented midfielder looks to take the next steps in his career progression. Moving from Motherwell to one of the Glasgow club’s always brings an element of risk, and we will all be able to see what the young man is made of in the coming years.

Ange Postecoglou has been setting about reconstructing behind the scenes at Celtic Park and Lennoxtown and youth development and pathway is a key component of his plan to modernise the way Celtic operate. Having lost so many youngsters in the past, it is obvious the Bhoys need help in this department in terms of creating a bridge between youth football and the first-team.

With the news today that Celtic and Ange have already tied up a treble of talented under-18 players which you can read right here on The Celtic Star, more emerging youth players are being targeted by Ange Postecoglou as well as immediate starters for the second act in his redevelopment plan at the club.

Rice may have declined to take up the offer to join the best club in Scotland, but there are plenty of others out there that would jump at the chance, should such a situation arise. Connor Barron of Aberdeen is another who Ange has his eyes on, and as has been discussed on this very publication, is a player we will be keeping a watchful eye on. So not to worry, there’s plenty more fish in the sea.

His loss.

Paul Gillespie

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who 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

3 Comments

  1. If hes moved to Ibrox then its either because he’s a fan of theirs or they were the only club interested in him; this story(?) about us losing a transfer battle over him doesn’t add up otherwise!

    I’m all for us signing 16 year olds, but only if they’re better than the players we have and they have a realistic chance for challenging for first team places, which is always going to be rare!

    I’d rather we concentrate on signing players in their late teens to early 20s(bar the very rare younger gems), who are more likely to be mentally and physically mature enough to compete in the first team.

  2. we have the best manager .and the best team anywhere ,servco punters will be panicking, one very nutty

    in particular Krispy boyd , he will be going nuts cant be good for his health,