For close to two decades Celtic youth teams have dominated Scottish development leagues. We invest more in youth football than anyone else, we flood the Scottish leagues with graduates from our academy, and we harvest the occasional gem for the first team.
The current squad has Kieran Tierney, James Forrest, Callum McGregor, Eoghan O’Connell (who I think has a genuine chance) and Liam Henderson, who all made the step-up but for 40 years our record in maturing youth talent has been appalling.
Care to guess the last successful striker Celtic brought through the system?
Clubs who regularly finish behind Celtic in the youth league table produce far more first-team talent, some of whom Celtic pay money to sign later in their careers. What Dundee United, Hibs, Hamilton Accies and others can do, which Celtic have been reluctant to do, it blood young players in the first team early.
Celtic’s reasons for this are valid. They have championships to win every season, and even when that is a formality, dropping points to anyone is cause for a crisis. We do not have the most conducive environment for youthful endeavours.
In recent times we’ve tried to help players bridge the gap between youth football and the Celtic first team by sending them out on loan. Callum McGregor benefited from this but it’s hard to find evidence the strategy is delivering.
Celtic have wanted a ‘colts’ team for 50 years, a place where youthful talent can come up against the harsh environment of fully grown men. I know one chairman of a successful developer of youth players who believes that if they are not thoroughly exposed to ‘real’ football between the ages of 16 and 19 they will be lost to the game by 20.
Frustration at a perceived lack of progress kicks in, then unhelpful habits take over.
No one can say with any great conviction that a colts team will solve anything, but it might. For that reason, it’s worth trying.
Time is running out for orders of books and DVDs for Christmas from the CQN Bookstore. We’ve a great range of new and classic titles, fill your boots!
468 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- »
I’d like to express my gratitude to CQN’s own lexicographer FVR for giving me two tickets for the standing section at tonight’s game.
UTLR
HY
Good to see you get tickets, after all you do source them for most when required
☘☘
Can’t blame spellcheck for that
Just my rattling bones
HT – I’m escaping with my other bhoy to the upper tier tonight. But Bhoy #2 will be 2 rows in front of you with his fiancee ;-)
BT
Had hoped to take the wean but she can’t make it tonight.
Jobo
I shall inspect his every move!
HT
Almore offered me the spare on Saturday but I’m lucky to stand for 5 minutes never mind 2 hours
Mini and Matt are in that section too
Res. 12 T-Shirts. 3 for a pound.
“I wore out the keys on my lap-top and neglected my loved-ones for 4 years and all I got was this lousy T-Shirt!”
BT
I’ll look out for mini or vice versa!
From Portbhoy on sfm
DECEMBER 19, 2016 at 16:12The latest report from BDO re. the liquidation of Rangers.
https://www.bdo.co.uk/en-gb/rfc-2012-plc
Bit colder down here today. Busy day ahead in London then meeting the lhad at West London CSC hopefully with some pictures from the game.
Have a good day everyone. HH
Morning all
Bit of a difficult night – lack of sleep brought on by some personal anxieties rather than events as discussed here over the last couple of days.
The apparent grounding of Res12 is disappointing but not surprising – the four who pursued it showed far greater persistence than I would have as it appeared to me very early on that Celtic as a corporate entity were interested in keeping this matter in the long grass. That the board seems totally unwilling to pursue something that would appear to be obviously in it and the company they represent’s interests seems odd and those who suggest here that this reluctance is because they (the board} has something (s) to hide may be on to something,
The current Celtic hierarchy seem reluctant to say much on anything and it is hard to imagine that Robert Kelly, Desmond White and Fergus McCann would have allowed this and so many other issues relating to not just the demise of Rangers and the admission of the new club but on what songs we should sing, ‘The Bill’, and the various appointments at the SFA to remain so unremarked. Fergus might well have said things we did not like to hear and White might well have got things wrong but we would all at least have known Celtic’s position. Not now – instead a Buddha like silence on most topics of concern to the support as well as the Club itself.
Celtic has been a big part of my life – this is my fiftieth season of going to games- and at times I have allowed myself to buy into the mythology of the club and think we were something more than just a football team. But this is one of the things that like the events of the summer of 1983 has removed the scales from my eyes- bean counters in the boardroom and employees who are in it for as much as they can take out of it. Even before that traumatic summer I had realised that those I cheered on -and who proclaimed themselves to be Celtic fans- were not the idealists we were led to believe. Lou Macari and David Hay were big favourites of mine and were Celtic fans but they still left because they could get more money elsewhere.
The Celtic Board won’t stop me going to see Celtic’s football team. This may make me a mug but then Celtic boards and I have rarely been on the same wavelength and I also get pissed off with people who don’t go to games anyway telling me I am a mug, Since that summer of 1983 I have gone in spite of the boards we have have had not because of them. This is just the latest thing they have done – or not- that makes me look on them with something akin to contempt. I go because I like the people who are in the stadium with me (mostly), enjoy the beer afterwards and see enough good football to think it’s worth going – I also know that in the two periods when I did boycott Celtic games – in 1993/4 and the months following the match with Rangers at Celtic Park in May 1999- I was even more insufferable than usual.
Thanks for all the efforts of the four and also to those who have contributed to the debate here- I have not agreed with some things that have been written but impressed by the lack of personal rancour in the comments.
Sobering times we live in though
Have a good day
Jimbo67
I’ll let them know C
..
Just been Reading CQN from a Few Days ago.. Noticed People complaining about Celtic TV this Season..
I Upgraded to Premium Celtic TV this Season and Never had so Many Problems with it in 10 Years..
While the Ghirl helping me resolve the Issues has been great and Prompt nearly every time I contact her..
I can Tell You all it’s Absolutely Nothing to do with Your Broadband it’s a Celtic TV Problem..
I’ve updated Drivers.. Used Apple TV .. 3 Different laptops everything to test it..
3-4 Years ago I used to Mirror Apple TV onto a Widescreen out at my back deck with Normal Celtic TV and Never had a Drama.. especially when You have a Dozen of the Young team of Backpacking Celts here to watch..
I have the National Broadband Network (NBN) which is meant to be the Fastest in the World.. and I’ve tested it and would say it comes Close..
I’ve told the Ghirl I can in Seconds switch to Foxtel Go (Sky Plus) and have Perfect picture.. Optus Sport.. EPL mirrored from my Prepaid Phone .. Perfect Picture.. cricfree.com the best illeagal Stream for the last 3 Years.. and I have 2 Firesticks that is just use for Highlights all of which Never Buffer and well as FilmOnTV all UK Channels rarely buffer..
Yea Celtic TV when watching a Game on Catch up.. It doesn’t Buffer.. it goes back to the Start..: Not of the Game but the Broadcast.. which is a Nightmare to get it back to where it stopped..
Would be great to get some feedback on this for Overseas CQNers as I’m 99% sure it’s a Celtic TV Problem and would like them to get to the bottom of it and fix it as watching games at Circa 3-4am and the Picture goes or stops.. is.. Well You can Imagine..
Or direct them to bhoysofoz@gmail.com
Summa
Take care Jim
..
BT..
My last game was the Last Rangers game before they added The to their Name..
The Legned that is VHman gave me His Ticket for the Green Brigade.. and warned me.. ‘They Bop for the Full Ninety Minutes’..
I said well I can’t sit for More that 10 Minutes..【ツ】
At Half Time.. I was Numb from The Waist Down.. on 90 Mins I was Numb from the Neck Down.. but The Boy Jinky gave me a Lift Home and I think I ended up Clubbing till 4am.. Ha Ha
Summa of FeelingSenseblyNumbCSC
Anyone looking for a ticket ? I’ve a ticket available.
SUMMA OF SAMMI…. on 20TH DECEMBER 2016 8:47 AM
Mate.
I stopped subscribing some years back for the very reasons you mention.
Be in sport does it for me now .
If the match is not being covered , I have some very reliable squirrels I can count on.
Which really is a pity.
I`d rather fund Celtic.
Blantyre Tim
Thanks
Jim
..
MacJay..
I actually upgraded so my Mate who has BEin Sports could Use my CelticTV when BEin don’t cover games (Home games)..
The reason I was asking for Feedback on this Season as it’s the Worst it’s ever been and I’ve never had Premium before and this time I know it’s 100% my Broadband connection..
They do seem to be 100% trying to resolve it .. but if they don’t get proper feedback they can’t fix it..
001
Ps.. cricfree.com is a Possum not a Squirrle .. 【ツ】
..
It’s Not My Broadband Connection
001
Did BRT & H post yesterday re his take on the Res 12 issue?
JJ
Summa.
I usually find a Stream
2
Watch.
More of a wombat really.
:-)
Brendan Rodgers said: “We have a lot of games this month and after Hamilton on Christmas Eve, I’ll travel back to Northern Ireland after the game. “Then on Christmas Day I’ll spend time with the Northern Ireland Hospice as I’m an ambassador there.
“I’ll spend Christmas morning with the families and the kids who are terminally ill and later on I’ve got family that I’ll have Christmas dinner with and then I’ll fly back first thing on Boxing Day morning as we’re training and we’ll be getting ready for the game.
“The hospice has just newly opened. I became an ambassador earlier this year. I’d done a number of things before but this has been the first Christmas Day that I’ve had off for a number of years so I’m taking the chance to help the children and families in whatever way I can.”
Rodgers admitted his charitable nature has come from his upbringing and also from the fact he has suffered from family tragedy with the lost of both his parents at young ages.
He said:“You have families that have the hardship if seeing loved ones that are near death. I experienced that with my mother and father dying young and the care they received and support we received as a family was everything for us.
“I’m very lucky and very privileged to be managing this club and be in a life in which I’m really happy and if I know I can share that happiness and bring some sort of support to other families and people that are suffering, I’ll do that.
“If you’ve got a child, a mum, dad, brother, sister, uncle, whatever, in the hospice then you’re in that hospice for a reason.“You’re there because it’s towards the end and it’s not a nice feeling, so any joy or support you can give means more than anything.
“I’ve been very privileged and lucky to be in a job I love but the people who work in these hospices are angels really, and to give them the support is something I was brought up with.
“My mum was a carer and looked after people, and my dad always looked after people and I was always brought up to think of others and where you can help, you try to do that extra and to go that extra mile to do it.
“Christmas for lots of people is great, but for lot of people there’s a sad element to it as well and in my role as the ambassador there, whatever I can do that brings some sort of pleasure and peace to a family, then I’ll do that.”
I understand the addictive element of Celtic FC but as Hunderbirds pointedly pointed out what has changed is that we now know our own PLC are only interested in exploiting us for profits. The trade off being winning cups and titles. (Glory hunting).
Celtic cannot claim to be a family club (see Children 50 pound ST´s) or a community club. When was the last time that community saw a major game played at Celtic Park at 3:00 pm on a Saturday and how often
The PLC is not failing but it is failing the community.
It is that community that is having to suffer at the machinations (or lack of ) from the PLC.
I weaned my son off of Celtic after the 5 way agreement.
I let him know that we are in bed with the huns.
That cheap talk worked. Although still a Celtic fan we have hardly watched a domestic game since the 5 way agreement and he now has an Eintracht ST and he is now 21. He found their behaviour more despicable than any other body within Scottish football. 3rd year at Uni far from dumb.
What other parent is going to volunteer their children and grand children to take part in this facade for (perceived occasional glory) knowing that they are going to be discriminated against but this time by their own club and only for profits.
Stockpiling cash before the big crash ? I don´t know can´t fathom it out apart from being money horny
HH
johnjames a good read this morning.
He´s had to relocate to England
HH
johnjames writes
Doncaster has time on his hands having been bumped by the EPFL
What does he mean by that ?
AWENAW
I think Doncaster and Regan both fancied a move to England but it fell through.
Maybe they should start a blog criticising hunnery. It worked for JJ(!)
Karamoko Dembele has turned out for England just one month after pulling on the Dark Blue of Scotland.
The Celtic starlet caused a stir in November when he accepted an offer from the English FA to train at their HQ St George’s Park.
That came just a week after making his bow for Scotland in the Victory Shield, although he didn’t start any of the three games.
Now he has made his England debut, coming off the bench as an Under-15 side beat Turkey on Saturday.
Good Morning Bhoys from a frosty Central Scotland.Well the big Glasgow Derby tonight and Brendan looking to bring some youngsters in for the match.For me that is another touch of good management from Brendan and it keeps all the players at the club on there toes i will go with 3-1 to the hoops. H.H.
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on 20th December 2016 9:40 am
johnjames a good read this morning.
He´s had to relocate to England
HH
———————————————————–
I was a little surprised to read that in his article – it implies he has only done so relatively recently. However, I seem to remember that he has hinted consistently to residing inside the M25 throughout his time posting his blogs. Very possible I am wrong, but I had the impression some time ago that he was not based in Scotland.
Resolution 12 will never go away, though in future it may not be called
Resolution 12 the cheating that undoubtedly took place from the moment the old Rangers appointed Graeme Souness doesn’t go away either.
We may be perennial champions but we are part and parcel of a maladministered game whether it’s the highest executive in the land and his own personal EBT mysteriously relected unopposed whatever, the cheating we all are in there with Brother Bobby Madden.
Offer the new club as factual? – taking your life in your hands in mixed company is the fate solely reserved for the Celtic fan.
The Celtic supporter that doesn’t care about what the old Rangers and the SFA did to assist may be the luckiest Celtic fan of them all?
AWENAW
Thoughts with your bereaved countrymen today.
Another appalling outrage,and again the innocent suffer.
I would think that Sinclair would start tonight
Celtic and Rangers proposals leaves current Lowland League clubs raging
New SFA performance director Malky Mackay is set for a battle to get clubs to agree to plans for the Glasgow side’s to introduce colt sides into the lower leagues as part of Project Brave
Livid Lowland League clubs claim it would be a slap in the face if Old Firm colt teams are fast tracked into the SPFL at their expense.
And they want to see the Glasgow giants forced to work earn their place in League Two or it will make a mockery of the pyramid system.
New SFA performance director Malky Mackay is set for a battle to get clubs to agree to plans for Celtic and Rangers to introduce colt sides into the lower leagues as part of the Project Brave strategy.
Stranraer chairman Ian Dougan wants them to start outwith the senior structure and that is feeling of many Lowland League clubs who met with SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster to discuss the matter last month.
But, speaking exclusively in Record Sport yesterday, Rangers boss Mark Warburton claimed that would defeat the purpose of trying to develop the country’s best young stars.
Approval of 90 per cent of the Premiership – 11 of the 12 clubs – and 75 per cent – 23 of 30 – in the other three leagues is needed but Lowland League clubs are unhappy at the prospect.
Mark Horner, chairman of Lowland League leaders East Kilbride, accused the football authorities of “making it up as they go along”.
He said: “There’s no point in calling it a pyramid system if that’s not what it’s going to be.
“And that’s basically what they would be doing by introducing colt sides into League Two. If they skip us and go straight into League Two then they really are making it up as they go along.
“Neil Doncaster attended a meeting of Lowland League clubs about a month ago and he put it out there by asking our views on the possibility of Old Firm colts going into the lower leagues.
The feeling was that it would be good – as long as they started in the right place at the bottom of the pyramid. Clubs felt it would be a real injustice if they jumped right above them into League Two.
“We have to start at the bottom of the pyramid system and work our way up through the play-offs so it would be unfair if they weren’t made to do the same. I take the point that young Old Firm players wouldn’t be tested as much in the Lowland League but we can’t just ignore fairness.
“Lowland League clubs have invested a lot of money and effort trying to build a team capable of making it into the senior game and credit to Edinburgh City who seem to be holding their own in League Two.
“I understand the reasons for the SFA trying to do this and that they’ve got to ignite Scottish football somehow but they’ve got to be really careful what they do.”
Horner, whose Kilby side faced Celtic in the Scottish Cup last season, accepts facing the Old Firm kids would make it tougher for Lowland League clubs to win promotion but the financial spin-off would soften the blow.
He said: “If people are so confident that the Old Firm colts are going to bring something to the league then it shouldn’t be an issue because they would quickly win promotion.
“That would also make promotion harder for teams like ourselves. A team as ambitious as us would view it as a disadvantage if the Old Firm colts were introduced into the Lowland League but others might be desperate for the money and the glamour.
“But our ultimate goal is to be playing senior football in the near future and that would be more difficult with the Old Firm in it. Our plans might be set back two or three years but it’s still the right thing to do.”
The double pronged attack (media wise yesterday with regards the Old Firm colt teams)
I.e the above Record article and Paul67 mains leader demonstrates how involved Celtic PLC were with the 5 way agreement.
I reckon they were the architects of it.
HH
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
Very sad BMCUWP … you let in a refugee and 8 months later he is mowing people down at a Christmas market.
HH
I will also say that the timing of yesterdays double pronged attack (old media and new media) also demonstrates what they think of Resolution 12 and integrity.
Celtic PLC are saying … You want to take us on come ahead. Huns to a man
HH
Awe Naw
Didn’t hear much complaining when newco started in the pro league