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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MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 8:38 PM
GERRYFAETHEBRIG on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 8:34 PM
It can be horribly confusing.
When I posted , it was Tuesday in Oz.
:-)
—-
Using that logic the match is played on Wednesday, so still a day out…
Canamalar/Auldheid/BRTH/Morrisey
Take a bow lads.
One suggestion. If you collectively decide to bow out, do so on your terms.
MACJAY, Was at that final replay. One of many finals where Celts let us down over the years since then. And the board had nothing to do with it.
Imo, while I am saddened that the Board seemingly won’t take any action in support of Res 12 (thanks, by the way to the 4 who have done so much for us in that regard) I won’t be deterred from going to Celtic Park. Few Celtic Boards have had my respect, particularly the likes of the Kellys and Whites, but I shall continue to attend matches as often as I can. All my life we have been cheated; indeed, that would hold true for all of my Dad’s lifetime and he wouldn’t understand if I were to give up now. For those of you have never known what it is like to be 15 or 16 before witnessing Celtic winning anything, can I just tell you that everything we win now is a joy. Mind you, it will never equal the ’65 Final. That was simply joy unconfined.
THETIMREAPER on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 7:22 PM
You have mail.
HailHail
GFTB
Nice story about your nephew. The first 9 years of my life was 9 in a row for us. I was devastated as a 10 year old when they won the league for the first time in my life. My son was born at the start of their 9 in a row. How sweet it was for him at the Saint Johnstone match in ’98. Wim is still a hero of his.
GFTB,
The ‘young team’ won’t be ‘the young team’ forever. There is a virtual news blackout (even on the net it seems) on all of this. At the moment they (the young team) are all delighted (incl Clogher jnr). The truth has an uncomfortable way of of being heard though. Maybe if BR goes (he already talked about money at the AGM) and when the Huns have their ’55th’ title maybe folk might start to ‘wake up.’
If not maybe they are just happy with the product: 4 Sevco games a season, a cup now and again and the usual European campaign.
All washed down with a bit of all fashioned bigotry too, stomach whatever SPFL/SFS shenanigans comes our way. No complaints about the Scottish media or refs either:)
Well done to the 4 lads though. They have all sealed their part in the history of our club, imo.
Regards to the family, I thought you were playing Pokemon?
HH
THETIMREAPER on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 8:49 PM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 8:38 PM
GERRYFAETHEBRIG on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 8:34 PM
It can be horribly confusing.
When I posted , it was Tuesday in Oz.
:-)
—-
Using that logic the match is played on Wednesday, so still a day out…
=====================================================================
Its not a matter of logic.
It`s a matter of fact.
The game is on Tuesday.
TET,
Off the top of my head I cannot think of any major sport that you could guarantee as being “clean”.
I reckon every football league in the world has some scandal underpinning it.
The influx of betting companies in sport has, to my mind, just put the final nail in the sporting coffin.
My supporting days are now in my twilight years and I have many memories of the game that I cherish.
I have accepted that the game in Scotland is crooked and always has been.
The difference now is that it has been exposed.
However, it is the only game in town.
For Celtic to publicly expose it now would leave the club exposed to the combined wrath of the Establishment.
The only leverage we had was to deprive the club of funds, via Season Tickets and one off “glamour” games.
Then the board would have to make a decision, which for them, may be a lesser of two evils.
The large uptake of STs and clamour for tickets for the Hogmanay game, merely tells them that the fans are happy enough, in spite of the hot air that is expounded on web sites, such as this.
Talk is cheap.
Macjay
I only have two nephews, when I got married in 2015 it was a photo finish between both who would be my best man, for months they were texting each other saying it was going to be him, funnily enough one is my brothers son other my sisters son ……….both get there love of Celtic from me and not either father, by the way both have Gerard as their confirmation name, as well as my nephews they are my mates………….. Res12 none of the two of them (or their pals) knew/know anything of it apart from the Cqn T-shirts, i think the Res12 bhoys have done a fabulous job but in the main the rank and file supporter neither knows or cares ….. Pretty sad, but I suppose 10 or 20 years ago I might have been much the same…….. Although, I always knew they were cheats :-)
RON BACARDI on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 8:53 PM
MACJAY, Was at that final replay. One of many finals where Celts let us down over the years since then. And the board had nothing to do with it.
==========================================================================
I was there too , confident that our spell of ” no trophies ” would end.
However if ever the ability of Jock Stein was brought into sharp focus , this was it.
Bob Kelly gave us Jock Stein.
Thank you , Bob.
PCS
The difference is that we now know we have been cheated, years ago we always suspected we were getting cheated, but the confirmation is there in black and white.
The support in the guise of the Res 12 bhoys have done their bit, the rest of us are just facilitating the corruption, that saddens me, I know Celtic is a drug, a powerful drug, a drug that I don’t want to give up, but FFS, when we know what has gone down we are willing to accept it for our hit, how sad is that when we have the chance to clean things up to a decent level, yet we are condoning the sectarianism for the sake of the bigot pound.
HH
Thom
I know, sadly it’s the way it is, money is god and feck everything else.
HH
Everton on the ropes. Lakaku a poor mans Dembers :))
Clogher
She has school the morra so 8.30pm bedtime, Tesco has her mother starting at 4am so living room, TV, iPad to myself……and off work, if only I had a wee refreshment or too…..which I do :-)
While the bosses are sleeping may as well kid on I make the rules
TTR
Enjoying this scouse derby.
Lallana and Origi will win it for the red side I think.
GERRYFAETHEBRIG on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 9:03 PM
Your nephews are your mates. :-)
When I was in Scotland last year , a family friend gently suggested that my boys should be calling me “Dad ” rather than ” Mate “.
Actually I prefer that they think of me in that way.
And treat me that way.
History will be rewritten to show that Rangers were relegated, not liquidated and died and a new club allowed to take their place and history.
celtic fc you are a disgrace, cheated for years and it doesent seem to matter
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 9:01 PM
THETIMREAPER on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 8:49 PM
I was only joking.
DD 8.57pm
How spoilt were you :-)
Clogher
I meant to add the young team will be replaced by the next young team…..
Ron B
The saying goes something like ” To the victor the spoils ” Yip they are the victors it seems
HH
After a long day I popped on to see what was happening.
A mixture of bewilderment and disillusionment on Res12. I feel for the four Requistioners, so much effort, so much heartache. Canalamar, seems to be hurting the most, well that’s the way it comes across to me, what I respect about him is he wears his heart on his sleeve, he’s gutted and who can blame him.
Auldheid is more measured and doesn’t reflect in his posts how he s feeling but I bet he’s feeling just as gutted as Canalamar.
I’m a Canalamar type of guy, heart on my sleeve. Whilst Res12 is not about any dead club it is them that brought about. That’s why I will not rest until they raise there place to the ground and until they are no more I will not see it in my lifetime as the establishment will not allow it to happen because they are all corrupt in my opinion.
I love my Club and love nothing better than to along a support my Team whilst enjoying a day out with having a pint before and after. However, I am amongst those that are questioning their support, not because we’ve fallen out of love with our Team but have with the ESTABLISHMENT who cannot be beaten. We the Supporters are treated with disdain. We are the Paupers, nothing to see, just come along like good little sheep…
Having gone this far I would implore the Res12 Bhoys not to throw in the towel, God it must be hard to not want to but in my opinion by letting CFC pull the plug we will have our answer and will show what they really think of us.
I agree though not enough Celtic Supporters know about Res12, don’t know what the answer is to redress this, perhaps it is too late…but as ever…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
THETIMREAPER on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 9:09 PM
Hi D
Did you get that email.
GFTB
I was well spoiled by my dad and two uncles who took me to every game. They thought I was Celtic’s lucky talisman. Lisbon, Milan and 9 in a row before I was 10. :)
BUTSYBHOY on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 9:20 PM
THETIMREAPER on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 9:09 PM
Hi D
Did you get that email.
—-
Yeah I’ve replied.
Despite all the gloom around, I am still looking for two tickets for Saturday? Any disillusioned fans that are “holding”. I will take them gladly. No fool like an old fool, eh?
THETIMREAPER on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 9:15 PM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 9:01 PM
THETIMREAPER on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 8:49 PM
I was only joking.
==================================
I`m sorry.
My mood a bit fraught right now with the news from Berlin.
No excuse , however.
DD
That’s an impressive roll of honour……..before the age of 10
Am just hoping MissGFTB wants to go one game before she is 10…… It is getting closer especially on Friday night when she was jumping about like a nutter when Hamilton made it 1-2, her mum asked why was she celebrating her response….. I like anybody who score against that mob, the Apple never falls far from the tree
To those who say we have always been cheated, it is what we are up against etc, and we should carry on supporting them.
I got that, and it adds to the Celtic identity. The downtrodden, the anti-establishment club.
What I won’t accept is Celtic being complicit in the fix. That’s the difference now.
JMCCORMICK on 19TH DECEMBER 2016 9:23 PM
I’ll ask but there’s a queue mate.
You looking for me LennyBhoy?
Depressing news today on the board’s attitude towards the requisitioners.
I had always held out hope that the Board were waiting for developments before they exacted the revenge they were due for the years of cheating and trophy/title stealing from Ibrox.
The only sense I could make of their inaction was that they were biding their time. Either that or they did not wish too close an investigation lest they get dragged into dishonourable territory. And the latter did not sound too convincing- one rectified instance with Juninho as against 80 unrectified instances at Ibrox.
I could not accept the reasoning that Celtic would settle for Old Firm rivalry being resurrected because it was in our interests. How do you compare x number of lost titles and trophies and revenue and European qualification chances, and the sympathy for your lot that would flow from establishing that you had to ply your trade in a league and FA where such things were not just allowed but supported with collusion. The reaction of most European clubs would be to say we need to get Celtic out of such a toxic environment.
Instead we are asked to believe that Dermot Desmond and others believe that our best chance of a move is to keep schtum and hope that the attraction of the resurrected rivalry gets us our desired move?? Who is going to give you strong odds on that? We did have a genuine chance of a move to the Championship during MONs time but that chance passed and it does not look likely to come back anytime soon. Phil Gartside’s dead now and there are few voices left to argue our case.
Then there was the promise of the cross border leagues when Russia and Ukraine were granted permission until civil and cross-border war put an end to that development ever being seen as a success.
So where is the value in keeping an O** F*** model alive. It will only work if Rangers become competitive again and who will give them the money to achieve that level? Believe me, all those who flocked back because they wanted to give Brer Hun a right good tanking will get bored of a few years of regular humpings. Their fans will get bored and then, so will ours. Who is going to want to invite a club which does not have the finance to guarantee a regular second spot in the SPFL despite top loading their spend to give that impression this year? It would be like Barca being dependent on Espanyol or Chelsea on Fulham?
There are plenty of fallen giants- Notts Forest, Villa, Rheims, Torino and Dukla. Eintracht, St. Ettiene, Vasas Budapest, Steau, Red Star, Honved, Wolves, Preston, Leeds and Blackpool. No-one is desperate for them to be at the top table.
Nothing makes sense and the least sense being made is by a Celtic Board that tries to hoodwink and patronise people who are brighter than they are.
Dermot may have made a lot of money. Bankier might have made a little money. But neither of them are particularly bright and the attitudes they displayed at the meeting was not even a clever way of achieving their objectives.
They may well win the money making war – many supporters will stay attending- many will want to beat the huns more than they want justice done but I just feel sad that our club has been so stupid.
I cannot believe these poppy fines …..disgraceful …young innocent men…joiners, plumbers, office workers etc ….. are rembered for giving their lives in war caused by political incompetence, and we are not allowed to remember them ……words fail me, as politicians fail in there roles…
TET
All my life we’ve bought into the sectarianism. We all knew about their signing policy yet we continued to buy into by purchasing tickets against them and everyone else.
Res 12.
The decision by the board not to pursue exposure of the cheating I can live with. They’ve made their choice, as is their right. It’s simply a sad reflection of them, as individuals and a collective, and clearly demonstrates how far out of touch with the supporters they are. They value the blue pound above fair play. That’s something they can take to the grave.
What is unforgivable is the underhand, deceitful manner employed to lead 4 gentlemen who have given up countless hours in pursuit of truth and justice.
Shameful, shameful behaviour.
My gratitude and admiration for the bhoys involved counts for nothing, but nevertheless I’m indebted to them.
Hold your heads high. You can sleep easy. Saying that, I’m sure the board members who lied and colluded to stall for time will also sleep easy.
One group has a clear conscience, the other has no conscience.
Meant to say “the attitudes they (or their reps) displayed at the meeting”
**
“What is unforgivable is the underhand, deceitful manner employed to lead 4 gentlemen who have given up countless hours in pursuit of truth and justice a merry dance”