Yesterday, fans were intrigued to see new manager Ange Postecoglou’s comments on youth players and their possible development into the Celtic first-team.
Over the years, the Hoops have been well known for bringing through young talents. More recently, James Forrest, Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney have become first-team regulars coming through the academy, with the latter even becoming the clubs biggest ever sale.
In comparison, we probably haven’t seen enough talent come through the Lennonxtown academy system in recent times.
Whilst there appear to be talented players; they haven’t had the chance in the side to impress and show what they are capable of.
So with a new first-team manager coming in, several players have a fresh slate and will be looking to take their chance, especially after Postecoglou’s comments yesterday.
The likes of Scott Robertson and Lee O’Connor, who are returning from loan spells, will have a good chance to show the former Australian National Team boss whether they deserve a place in the squad.
Here are three of the most likely we think have the best chance of making the grade.
Karamoko Dembele
Dembele is a talent that people worldwide have been aware of, with videos online of him playing football going viral.
So far, life as a Celtic player hasn’t gone exactly to plan for the youngster. Towards the very back end of last season, though, we were finally given small glimpses of him in the first team and even scoring his first senior goal for the club.
With Postecoglou’s style of football very much based on attacking the opposition, you would like to think as a winger, Dembele has a big chance to impress and make himself part of the first-team set-up permanently going forward.
Luca Connell
Luca Connell is another strange one to Celtic fans as we haven’t seen all that much of the Irishman since moving from Bolton,.
In March last year, though, he completed a move to League 2 side Queens Park and very much impressed whilst at the Spiders looking a level above the majority of players in that league.
He is now getting to an age where you would hope we can start to see what he is capable of. Once again, with a fresh start, this could be the perfect opportunity to make his mark.
Leo Hjelde
The young Norweigan centre-back is still just 17-years old, but out of the three has probably played the most consistent first-team football.
It says a lot for both his character and ability that the club had faith to send him out on loan to Scottish Premiership side Ross County at his age.
So, with the club’s lack of defenders going into the next campaign, Hjelde could very much be thrust into the limelight as a first-team option going forward.
One thing is for sure, now that Ange Postecoglou is in the door, we must have faith and trust the new man to lead Celtic forward. Creating his own identity on the side along the way would be great to see more talents coming through the academy and into the first team under the 55-year old.
Couldn’t agree more