Celtic fans have often been critical regarding the club’s failure to regularly utilise the academy set-up to produce our own stars of the future.
Brendan Rodgers has set about changing this trend in his second spell in Parkhead, shedding light on his plans to promote individuals from Lennoxtown to the senior squad in the coming years.
He stated last month: “My life has always been about bringing young players through. We have got some really good, talented players. We have to create a pathway for them; that is the biggest thing. That is a real challenge at a big club, but I inherently believe in young players.
This season, both Daniel Kelly and Rocco Vata have been granted tangible experience under the Irishman, paving the way for further internal promotion to take place as Celtic look to save millions by breeding a production line of prodigious talent.
Of course, in the modern day, clubs don’t just harbour a core of homegrown talent in their respective academies, as they trade youngsters from across the world in an effort to stumble across untapped potential with room to develop.
Although not a direct example, consider Jeremie Frimpong as an instance of this process. Plucked from Manchester City’s Elite Development squad, he has now went on to become a Bundesliga champion at Bayer Leverkusen.
This could earn Celtic a neat 30% sell-on fee alongside the initial money gleaned by selling him to the German giants in 2021.
Liam Bonetig speaks out on first-team ambitions at Celtic
With the departure of Ange Postecoglou last year, our Australian contingent has dwindled somewhat. Aaron Mooy’s retirement, alongside Marco Tilio’s loan move back to Melbourne City, has left just one Socceroo currently plying his trade at the club: Liam Bonetig.
Signed from Western Sydney Wanderers last year, the 18-year-old central defender has made 13 appearances for Celtic B this term combined across the Lowland League and UEFA Youth League set-up [Transfermarkt].
Speaking to FTBL AU, the talented youngster harbours aspirations of one day breaking into Rodgers’ thinking at senior level after previously training with the first-team, though recovering from an ongoing ankle issue is at the centre of his plans for now.
He stated: “We see the first team every day, and there are times I’ve trained with them – it gives you a taste of it and you realise you’re not that far off.
“A couple of the boys from the U-23s are getting minutes now under Brendan Rodgers, and they’re always looking for the youngsters to push on.
“It’s such a big club, and the competition is massive with a first-team squad of around 35. When you train with the senior side you see it: the level is quicker, sharper and stronger. It’s the little details like the passing, the communication – there are rarely any mistakes. It’s been a good test and good experience.”
Bonetig later added on his ankle injury and his aims over the coming months: “First I want to get the ankle sorted, then have a good a pre-season as I can.
“Perhaps halfway through next season, if I can’t break into the senior squad here, I’ll maybe get a loan elsewhere to experience some first-team football. That’s what you often see happen here – it’s really a stepping stone towards the first team.”
Brendan Rodgers has left the door open for Celtic youth stars
Bridging the gap between B Team football and senior involvement isn’t easy at Celtic, factoring in the difference in both standards coupled with the pressure of winning attached to life at Parkhead.
Nevertheless, Rodgers has made it clear he plans to promote talent from within, which leaves the door open to budding stars of the future to stake a claim for minutes.
For way too long, Celtic haven’t taken efficient action regarding pathways to the first team, so hopefully, we can see a culture shift on that front as the Bhoys look towards the long-term.