Islam Feruz was once a hot prospect at Celtic Park. He was given a run out during Tommy Burns’ Tribute Match at Paradise in 2009, as a 14 year-old kid, and received a huge reception.

It was a fitting mark of respect that Feruz should play in the game, after all Tommy Burns had done everything for him. Indeed, the Feruz family arrived in the UK from Somalia, seeking asylum and a chance to escape war. Residing in a high rise flat in Castlemilk, his football talents were soon evident and he was signed up for Celtic’s Youth Academy.

So impressive was Feruz physically and technically, he was playing for the club’s U14s team at the age of 11. A year later, his family were threatened with an end to their asylum status, which threw his future and career into doubt. As ever, Tommy Burns was on hand to help. The Celtic legend fought tirelessy for the right of the Feruz family to remain in the UK and his campaign paid off when permission was granted.

Fittingly, Feruz played in the tribute match held in memory of Burns, after he tragically passed away from skin cancer. Feruz got a rapturous round of applause inside Celtic Park and impressed with his superb ability for a 14 year old lad.

A short time later, Feruz became Scotland’s youngest player to receive an U21 cap. It seemed stardom awaited. In no time, he left for Chelsea youth team, when he saw the bright lights and big cheques, with Celtic getting minimal compensation for not only coaching him for six years, but for also playing an integral part in keeping his family in the country!

His attitude was questioned and the less bright sparks among the Celtic support let him know what they thought of his actions on social media. Nevertheless, the response from Feruz was disgusting, as he stated: “Celtic did feck all with me staying in the country, get your fecking facts right and stop going with the story you read in the papers.”

In response to his remarks, which were downright untrue after all Burns had done, Gerry Collins (ex-Partick Thistle manager) said: “It’s disgusting what the boy has said and shows a terrible lack of respect for everything Tommy did for him and his family. He hasn’t achieved anything yet in the game and I can tell him this, whatever he does go on to achieve in football will be down to Tommy Burns and he should be eternally grateful.”

Collins went on to say: “I remember Tommy telling me he had discovered a gem in Feruz but the family were facing deportation to a war zone and the issue became something Tommy fought tooth and nail to prevent. Football was a secondary issue, it was an act of humanity and compassion from Tommy, which was typical of the man.”

Former Celtic star, Billy Stark, then commented: “It’s hard to put into context the lack of gratitude this kid shows with these comments, it’s very sad.”

Feruz never made a first team appearance and only had a handful of appearances in senior football on loan at OFI Crete, Blackpool, Hibernian, Royal Excel Mouscron and Swindon Town. He became renowned for his poor attitude and a waste of talent. A measure of his childishness was his online attempt to taunt Celtic fans by posing in a Rangers shirt, just to disrespect Celtic further for all they’d done for him. Thankfully, he was largely ignored for behaving like a pathetic, ungrateful child.

Andy Robertson, Liverpool’s left back who played alongside Feruz in the Celtic youth team, remarked last year: “He won every game for us really, scoring hat-tricks all the time. I think he’s still at Chelsea actually. He’s been down there a long time.” The fact Robertson has won the Champions League and doesn’t know for certain where Feruz is, tells you all you need to know about the differing attitudes of both men.

Feruz found time to tarnish his reputation outside of football too. In 2014, he was banned from driving for 18 months and heavily fined for speeding. His driving was described as “dangerous and outrageous,” by a Glasgow Sheriff. Three years later, he was fined again for driving an £80,000 Porsche without insurance.

Now, it was revealed today that Islam Feruz has retired from football at the age of 24. He has decided to create his own clothing brand, with a line of caps titled “Tajiri”, which translates as ‘rich’ in Swahili. The back of the caps, posted on social media, bear the words “controversial one,” suggesting Feruz has learned nothing in the way of humility and his football achievements compare to about the same as his achievements in being a decent person, particularly when it comes to Tommy Burns who surpassed him in both areas.

I’m sure every Celtic fan wishes him all the best in business… but I’ll let you decide that for yourself.

INVINCIBLE by Matt Corr

The Celtic Star’s very own Matt Corr – who you may also know as a Tour Guide at Celtic Park – publishes his first Celtic book, titled INVINCIBLE – early next month. This beautiful hardback book will be the definitive story of Celtic’s magical2016-17 season – it truly is wonderful, a real joy to read, and brilliantly written by Matt.

If you have been reading Matt’s regular contributions on The Celtic Star or indeed in the Matchday Programme or in the Celtic View you will know just how talented a Celtic writer he is. The book is published by The Celtic Star and you can pre-order below.

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