Since departing Celtic for the English Championship in pursuit of first-team football, young talents Daniel Kelly and Rocco Vata have found minutes hard to come by.
Combined, the two players have played only 138 minutes this season, raising questions over whether the move has hindered or helped their development.
Nineteen-year-old Daniel Kelly, who joined Millwall, has made two brief league appearances totalling just 18 minutes and has managed 45 minutes in the cup. For a player seeking consistent playing time, it’s been a frustrating start, especially considering he might have played more had he stayed at Celtic.
However, Kelly’s departure opened the door for the Hoops to sign Luke McCowan, who has proven to be a fantastic addition for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Meanwhile, Rocco Vata has seen slightly more action, appearing in nine games, with six in the league and three in the cup.
While his minutes have been more substantial, his move hasn’t yet resulted in a regular role. Had he stayed at Celtic, he might not have featured heavily either, possibly limited to cup fixtures like the tie against Hibs or the odd cameo appearance.
Yet, with Adam Idah sidelined through injury, Vata might have had a greater chance to step up in the coming weeks had he remained.
Both players left Celtic in hopes of more substantial roles, but the reality has been less than ideal so far. In the longer term, consistent playing time is crucial for their development, and only time will tell if their decisions to move south pay off or if more minutes in Glasgow would have served them better.
Not overly surprised, and lawal to stoke has been the worst of the 3?
Nothing we can do as a club, when youngsters are getting poorly advised, and them thinking they are better than they really are at present?
Trying to run before they have learnt to walk isn’t the best route for our younger players to be taken, but the lure of bigger potential money seems to be a better incentive for them also?
Yet does that really work over the full term of a career for themselves?
Dont think so myself, and calmac and forrest are potential proof of earning more money, along with a prestigious successful career by staying with ourselves?
Just more examples where these players find the grass ain’t greener etc
They’ve made their beds!!!!!!
Every youngster that have left the club in the last 5yrs has not seen first team football but would they have done better at Celtic who knows it’s a big leap first professional contract sadly money clouds the issue and some players think they have made it there’s time yet for these young players to blossom
At least 1 of thise players motivation was money not minutes. Mediocrity beckons. Good riddance to bad rubbish I say.
Can’t argue with the above comments, although I wish Lawal had stayed.