CELTIC don’t have their problems to seek and one major story this season and for the past few seasons is our inability to keep hold of our top young players.
Clubs like Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Liverpool have poached some of our talent with others deciding to move on elsewhere.
The stagnation of our youth system has a big part to play in these decisions. Of course, the offers these players get moneywise at that age will be a massive part of their decision. However, there’s no carrot dangling at Celtic offering them a real alternative.
No, we might not be able to pay the sorts of wages you can get at a cash-rich European club, but we can offer you time and progress to the first team fairly quickly if you show promise. Right now, we’re not offering that to young players and that’s why we’re seeing an exodus.
According to SB Nation, the latest player who looks to be on their way from our academy is Vincent Angelini, grandson of Celtic legend, Davie Hay.
The 17-year-old goalkeeper appears to be in high demand and Manchester Utd are keen to bring him in when his contract runs out at the end of this season
Angelini would become yet another poor statistic in Celtic youngsters moving on before they’ve really been tested. We are aware Karamoko Dembele will also seek a move at the end of the season – our most promising youngster to come through the ranks in years.
I understand there’s nuance to the situation and not every deal which is being done to take youngsters away is in Celtic’s hands. However, we must do our absolute best to make the choice to leave Lennoxtown very difficult. Right now, it’s all too easy.
