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!
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Hot Smoked on 19th December 2016 4:36 pm
BSR
I noticed that on Sportscene the other night. I thought then it looked very strange 0:-)
JJ
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aye noticed, thought the telly was going doolally…..
any update on TR injury, will he be fit to play tomorrow night?
Ah the ol skint cat syndrome.
A skint cat will still be warm (but poor) but a skinned cat on the other hand will feel the cold.
GERRYFAETHEBRIG on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 4:08 PM
Haha!
I rarely get to Celtic park these days but when I was there on Saturday it did remind me what supporting Celtic is about first and foremost and put into a bit of context the online community in terms of the overall game–going support. I’m in no way belittling the opinions of anyone who posts on here or elsewhere, or ignoring all the good work thats done the issues raised by the way
I enjoyed myself on Saturday, which seems to be a bit of a rarity these days. Maybe I’m getting old, or maybe I need to spend more time at Celtic Park and less time staring at a phone or computer screen!
Dessyboy
Did you read my post reposted from previous blog by Davidopolus?
That has been my position from 2013.
I am not in possession of enough information to make a judgement on the Board as I don`t know why they make the decisions they do. Emotionally, I would like them to come out all guns blazing about cheating and corruption but, cognitively , I know I do not know if that is the best course of action.
Also, as far as I can see, withholding money from Celtic will, perhaps, make the withholder feel better but I doubt very much it will affect Celtic in any significant way. The views expressed on CQN are almost certainly in the minority as evidenced by the big crowds at every game. We are no different en masse from the rest of society ie we are led by the nose and the MSSM still have much more influence in moulding opinion than does social media. In the same way as I can continue to live in a society of which I , mainly, disapprove, so can I continue to enjoy going to see Celtic in spite of my possible disapproval of the PLC.
JJ
Celtic40ME,
I hope have my doubts about the PLC. It’s a shame about all the secrecy I suppose and the fact that the business model require Sevco in some guise it seems…
Anyway, I’m delighted your bhoy enjoyed the game I wouldn’t let the business side of the game stop me bringing my son either.
That’s the Catch22 I guess:)
A skinhead cat is to be avoided
Auldheid on 19th December 2016 4:45 pm
Ah the ol skint cat syndrome.
A skint cat will still be warm (but poor) but a skinned cat on the other hand will feel the cold.
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A nice flay on words there…
I believe it has been asked before but how much money does having Sevco in the same League as us generate compared with the CL money we receive?
JJ
Auldheid,
We have been waiting 3 years for them to provide any strategy that will bring pressure on the SFA, so from that perspective I do not see any progress. They have for the last three years refused to share their goals and strategy with us and it was quite clear from last weeks meeting that will continue.
They have spent all their resources in disputing and finding ways to dismiss our evidence and information that has been consistent and the only continuity they provide and for me is the only indicator of their goals and strategy.
On skinning the SFA cat, I’m reminded of a discussion at one of our meetings about how successful the board were at dealing with SFA issues by using the Fergus McCann takes on Farry and won. I pointed out if he had really won we would not be in the position we are now and that it was an pyrrhic victory that basically changed nothing at the SFA.
I maintain only a CFCB investigation (failing that police but I’d still have reservations on them) can properly force the SFA to change, any investigation needs to be conducted by external authorities outwith the UK to even be considered legitimate, I mean look at how the FTT and LNS hearings went. and both heard where ?
No Auldheid, there is a lot more to this than simply giving the SFA another smack on the hand, the res said CFCB and that was for all the reasons identified above. I do not trust anyone in the UK to deliver a fair hearing, the process and procedures are already in place at the CFCB so defining the grounds and admissible evidence will not be dictated by interested stakeholders as happened to both the FTT and LNS.
Another load of changes and an experimental side tomorrow night?
The Scottish Premiership champions face another midweek fixture when they welcome Alan Archibald’s men, who are rooted to the bottom of the table, to Parkhead.
The game was originally scheduled for the second weekend of the season but Celtic requested a postponement to play their friendly against Inter Milan.
Rodgers would not be drawn on names but said a number of academy players have been “doing very well” since training with the first team recently.
The Celtic boss, who will have skipper Scott Brown back from suspension, said: “I can have a look at my squad and see if there are any younger players who can come in.
“My job fundamentally coming here was to win trophies, to play attacking football the Celtic way and to bring young players through.
“So we will look to see if there are any young players we can maybe look at over the next few games.
“This is what building a club is about, creating the hope for the youth players otherwise if they don’t think they can play, then why should you have an academy?”
He added: “We have to develop young players here. That is how I have always worked but they have to be ready.
“Not totally ready of course but they need to show the ingredients, that they can come in and play in the first team. That is very important to a big club.”
Forward Jack Aitchison become Celtic’s youngest player and goalscorer when he came off the bench at the age of 16 to notch in the 7-0 home win over Motherwell at the end of last season under former boss Ronny Deila.
Defender Anthony Ralston also made his debut under the Norwegian and the 18-year-old came off the bench against Motherwell in the League Cup in August.
CANAMALAR IT LOOKS LIKE OCD OBSESSION on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 4:58 PM
If it ends up with Police as a shareholder led case, would it be City of London police? That may help.
I wouldn’t play Ralston as I want to see Gamboa grow in confidence by having game time…
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 5:00 PM
Another load of changes and an experimental side tomorrow night?
Rest is key ahead of the 31st, fatigue is the only thing in our control that could stop us from giving them a doing
Auldheid
I read it and have read it again, from what is said about the post AGM meeting with the board is highly disappointing and Celtic do not appear to be giving this any priority or taking it seriously. The money is in the bank you see.
Celtic40me
Am never at Celtic Park these days, it might change in the future when my daughter decides she wants to go, there is no board or suit will ever change my love for my team, we all have our own Celtic experiences and for every fan who doesn’t go hopefully there will be more 5yr olds itching to go back, like yourself I will never disrespect the opinions of fans who feel let down by our board, Celtic are flying just now so am afraid the punters who want to prove their point are only hurting themselves depriving the enjoyment of Celtic (the football team)
We all have our own Celtic, I wouldn’t let anybody influence my view on my Celtic
BSR
I know you are just the Messenger ! Would you call this `rooted to the bottom of the table` ? :
7 Kilmarnock 18 -14 19
8 Motherwell 17 -7 17
9 Hamilton 18 -6 16
10 Dundee 18 -9 16
11 Inverness CT 18 -11 16
12 Partick Thistle 17 -8 15
Cheerio for now,
JJ
JJ…,
that’s not how it is being viewed by the board there is no binary decision here, they want both, its as simple as that, babbling about being self sustaining was PR, not counting on old firm or UEFA was the base line the ideal is counting both into the bank, that is evident by how they presented it by identifying how much is lost rather than identifying alternative income streams. Its was double speak, saying what they thought we want to hear painting a rosy picture without clarifying the goal is strategic misrepresentation and very common for organisations who operate in a secretive manner and do not value stakeholders opinions.
Paul67
I disagree that colts playing against grown adults is progressive. I was through to watch our youngsters be out-muscled, out-jumped and out-played by Livingston. A mis-match from start to finish. Since then, Ajer has added his physicality to bring a few great wins against older squads.
Tells me the way to go is to bring back the reserve league with a restriction on the number of adults involved. Any club that doesn’t have the resources to operate both squads shouldn’t be eligible for either the Premiership or the Championship.
You and the Board are wrong on this.
PL is a mean poker player his track record proves it, the shape CFC is in proves it, the Gang of Four made enough noise kicked up enough fuss, got it headlined, and took it as far as they could, and cudoes to them for that, for the lefties and the student mob weeeeell we know what they’r going to say, but hey that’s they’r prerogative I wouldent expect anything differs, even if the Gang of Four got a result ( and Whois to say they won’t yet?) they sure as hell will have something in the pipeline to moan about, it’s what they do and as I say fair play to them.
This one to me, looks like it’s ran its course as far as who ever it is that sits on the board or the Gang of Four at meetings, not going out on a limb here, having not been to any meetings, but just reading between the lines some are not having discussions in good faith, and some just won’t be happy no matter what the outcome is, personal insults is not a thing I wanted to hear, no matter who made them, it never bodes well for a result for any of the parties and is prob. The reason why it’s dragged out all these years? I don’t know I’m just surmising and pointing the finger at no one.
Good news and encouragement are far and few from any of these meetings, one thing I will say is after these meetings it’s the club that gets it in the neck all the time, and if the club has asked the Gang of Four to keep they’r cards close to they’r chest after this meeting, then why inform all and sundry about that statement?
This has been going on for over three years now, when your sitting at a table and all supposed to be heading in the one direction, then first and foremost TRUST plays a BIG BIG part, that has been broken a few times by both parties, end result it’s going no where as long as these two parties sit at a table together, and that’s the problem everyone forgets her the are supposed to be sitting with each other, they’re not, they are sitting across a table from each other.
Personally I’d wait it out and see where the club go with it, to me imo , someone knows something, let’s hope it’s a result.
Odds are I’m way off the mark here, but it’s only my opinion, and I wish both parties all the very best in the new year on any new talks and development on res12 next year .
Hail Hail lurking Huns GIRFUYs
Canalamar
Fair point although the suggestions we made would, if adopted provide some form of assurance, but CFCB is the route of choice of the Res.
I think there has to be some dirty linen that needs washed and if we had been given an indication of the degree of dirt then we might accept the washing might be best be done domestically and discretely but as you say we were not privy to the strategy.
I mean small shareholders having a say on the direction of club policy?
You’ll be wanting a seat on the Board next. :)
Weeminger,
I am aware of that however finding a contact is not an easy matter. This case has all the hall marks of fraud and organised crime.
Just to confirm.
The club have been invited by UEFA and the SFA to ask CFCB to investigate the matter and they are refusing ?
Auldheid,
I’m sitting on a board rigth now, and I trust it more than I’d trust anyone on the Plc board.
TET,
correct
CFC board are treading a feline….
Siam say they are Lions …
Siam say they are pussies….
I hope BRTH has nine tails to end the Burmese whiskers….
Tom Tom turn around …..here comes the man in the white coat…
Meoowwy thing …
Braw
TD67
I think the overwhelming feeling is one of disappointment that what started out as a well intentioned means of establishing if Celtic had been wronged in order to rectify or prevent it happening again, has turned into an issue of division rather than unity.
Celtic were not the wrongdoers of first instance but perhaps they have got wrong themselves the handling of the initial wrong doing and failed to take into account the strength of feeling of a support that is morally grounded?
However there is time to rectify mistakes.
Auldheid,
what dirty linnen could our board possibly have hidden, come on now, this board is by all accounts the bee’s knees and far more savvy than anyone else in the world.
Am no fur skinnin cats…
NEUSTADT-BRAW
I agree that it’s a clawful situation. Three years and they still refuse to approach UEFA? You gotta be kitten me…
You’ll get pelters ..
Canman
Well having thot about it, sort of confirms that there is info they don’t want made public, why else would they not take the SFA and UEFA up on the offer.
HH
Russian ambassador killed in Turkey
Things are getting worse I’m afraid
Paw purrs….that should lick them…..they need neuteredalized….
Moggies rule OK
Braw
BLANTYRETIM IS PRAYING FOR THE KNOX FAMILY on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 5:38 PM
By a Turkish policeman, by the looks of it. Whether that makes things worse I don’t know. Revenge attack for the destruction of Aleppo according to the witnesses.
Davidopoulous
Once you get your claws into a pun your not for giving up
Purr show……..
Apologies for being catty :-)