Young Celtic talent, Francis Turley, made a memorable senior debut for the Hoops in a pre-season match against Queens Park.

The 18-year-old midfielder stepped onto the pitch in the 63rd minute and made an immediate impact, scoring Celtic’s sixth goal on the 72nd minute.

The youngster who has impressed the Celtic manager in a short space of time, has now earned a spot in the first team’s USA tour.

During this tour, Celtic will face off against DC United, Manchester City, and Chelsea. This opportunity offers Turley the chance to get some really good first team face time ahead of the new seasons.

Francis signing for Celtic back in 2022

The youngster will aim to continue his development and take advantage of any game time that comes his way. Playing against some of the best teams and players in the world will undoubtedly be a valuable experience.

During a time where Celtic’s academy is under the microscope for the wrong reasons when it comes to bringing through and keeping a hold of talent, could Francis buck the trend?

All Celtic games Stateside will be live on Celtic TV for subscribers.

1 COMMENT

  1. Looking like Turley could be regarded as our replacement for Kelly now, by the looks of things imo?
    Rodgers looking like finally putting into operation something that could and should have been in place, years ago?
    For years we have been forming squads, that in reality was based upon, only getting a decent starting in place, but panic if any of the star players in the starting line-up wasn’t available?
    Ange expanded that somewhat, to 16 with the 5 sub rule, and a like for like in a positional sense, but very predictable for the opposition to get themselves prepared for also?
    Yet, Rodgers is looking to expand that even further, and rightly so imo?
    Proper squad building is trying to be introduced, with greater competition for starting positions?
    Allows for ourselves to start introducing rotation for players, instead of running them into the ground with the amount of game time, and the tank to be empty come the end of the season?
    Focus looking like it will now be upon a 25man squad, that could be broken down to 7 attacking options, 7 midfield options, with 11 defencive options available?
    Now that doesn’t possibly allow for that many potential injury issues, should they arise, when you consider that 20 of the 25 would be required on a regular basis for a 20man SPFL match day squad?
    Hence the reason that the academy products in place, will start gaining an opportunity for themselves, that hasn’t been available for many a long year now?
    Even more valuable potentially on the bigger picture with the homegrown rule in operation, where we currently are still struggling to fill the 8 homegrown quota required for next season at present?
    Managers in general, try to put a settled keeper and back 4 in place, especially with hopefully a strong partnership between keeper and CBs?
    Still not confirmed as to what that starting line up will be still?
    Yet it still remains as easier to fill our 8 homegrown quota with Scottish defenders taking up the best part of the homegrown quota over the past few seasons?
    Looking like Rodgers is trying to develop more midfield and attacking options available, especially with Calmac and Forrest not getting any younger?
    So potentially having a 25man squad in place, with our 8 homegrown quota also?
    Still allows ourselves to bolster squad numbers with the academy products if and when required to do so, which potentially will develop over the course of a season?
    Just how much, could depend upon injury issues occurring?
    We seen Rodgers trying to introduce that last season, regarding Vata and Kelly, yet both turned there backs upon what Rodgers was trying to introduce into the club imo?
    With lawal doing so well with a loan move for development purposes, and now looking like he’s potentially in contention for earning a place within our 25man squad next season?
    Certainly should be the way forward for ourselves in the future imo?
    There comes a time regarding age as to whether these academy products, can develop into players that can get a place for themselves within our 25man squad?
    Dane Murray is currently there with the age factor, so potentially a loan move could be more beneficial for him, with missing so much football due to injuries?
    But certainly looking like a player in the making, especially with looking so comfortable with the football, so could be another to keep an eye upon with Turley next season imo?
    Delighted to see the conveyor belt starting to be put in motion again, as been sitting idle for way to long for my liking?

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