Imagine for a moment that instead of turning out for Celtic’s under-20s at Cappielow last night, the same 13-year-old Messi-anic talent, Karamoko Dembele, made his debut for Morton’s under-20 side. With all the scouts in Scotland and beyond watching his ever move, what chance Morton fans would be in a position to watch the lad grace their first team for anything more than a fleeting moment?
Celtic, among many others, would be all over the situation. His advisers would ensure that when he approaches his 16th birthday his career options were as open as possible – that’s if he’s still part of Morton’s development setup by that stage.
It’s easy to see Morton’s place in the food-chain. They would be totally incapable of offering a young player anything remotely like the compensation the likes of Celtic would. Self-awareness regarding the food-chain position is less common.
A few years back I watched a preseason game at a lower league club with a scout who worked for Manchester City, as well as a few lesser lights. When the subject got around to Celtic’s then equally Messi-anic prodigy, Islam Feruz, there was little the scout didn’t know about the player.
He could quote every stat and report ever written on Islam, but he didn’t make comfortable listening. “The boy will never play for Celtic”, was his verdict. “All the big English clubs want him and one of them will offer so much money, he’ll not refuse. Celtic can’t come close to offering the same.” I had plenty of hope that he would be wrong but as Islam’s 16th birthday approached, Chelsea outbid all others to transform his bank balance beyond all recognition. His subsequent demise is a footnote in the tale of player development.
Clubs cannot offer a professional contract until a young player turns 16. It does the developing club no good whatsoever to have a prodigy, evident to the world, before this age. Once he’s 16, he can be offered a professional contract, and the club can secure a subsequent transfer fee. If he leaves before this, the most the club will earn is a modest training compensation fee. Even if the parent club manages to secure the player on a contract, it’s likely to be something like Martin Odegaard’s at Strømsgodset – due to expire while the boy is still a boy, limiting game time and transfer fees accordingly.
Will Karamoko Dembele make it? If he does, will he be the exception to the rule that takes Teenage Kickers into the financial stratosphere before they are ready? Let’s hope it’s yes on both counts, but consider me skeptical for the next three years until we find out. On both counts. Until then we we can enjoy watching a great talent come through the ranks, but nothing more significant.
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http://www.talkingbaws.com/2016/10/rangers-fans-thank-celtic-rival-for-500-donation-to-bus-crash-fund/?
AULD TAM
In Boaby’s absence.
It was a great day again!
Lovely to renew acquaintances and make new one’s.
Every one a gem!
And the beer wasn’t bad either!
AN TEARMANN, 10:22 AM
I posted this yesterday.
Good to see Mr Lenaghan’s name again. You couldn’t escape it once upon a time, sprayed on every wall and bus in North Belfast in the late 70s, when he and his fellow Shankill Young Tartan members went out on their evening Fenian hunt. They used to get buses down to the Lower Ormeau as well for a night’s entertainment before they drifted off to the YCV and their bars to drink with the Shankill Butchers.
One of his graffiti cohorts ended up dead, dumped in a skip after he had stepped out of line with their new pals.
macjay1,
That is so powerful.
http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/10/05/james-forrest-praises-influence-celtic-boss-brendan-rodgers-has/?
It is unlikely to take the hate out of Everything.
I hope so many newco fans appreciate what the guy done.
M e g a powerful.
My friends in Celtic,
It’s international week, boohoo. Let’s be nice and imaginative to each other.
Plan your Halloween gifts. One such gift to friends and family would be to grant them an insight into how Brendan and the Bhoys will perform over the coming months.
It’s simple : There’s a cracking wee shop on Crow RD at Broomhill X called Spookys.
They do psychic readings for a reasonable price.
Make loads of dosh by then visiting the bookies.
HH.
Ps: Disclaimer. In no way does this compromise WITS or guarantee sucess.
PETEC on 5TH OCTOBER 2016 10:52 AM
macjay1,
That is so powerful.
===========================================
Pete.
Agreed.
It really is the way things should be.
macjay1 10:54 am,
Not before Time.
I find it fascinating that Brendan is playing James before Patrick.
Patrick is gone in 8 months or so.
I would not expect to see Patrick too much over the coming months.
Strong Manager – What does that mean? :))
Off oot for an afternoon Nap ;)
Just applied to Tory Party HQ to become a doctor.
What are your qualifications they asked.
I was born in Scotland and I am pink skinned, I replied.
Are you British, she asked.
No. I’m Scottish I replied.
Where is that she asked.
Northern England I replied.
Yes. You already are a doctor, she replied.
Thanks. When do I start? I replied.
Is Monday ok?
Yeah. See you all in general surgery Monday guys.
MWD
Pike isnae the only Bad Guy.
PETEC on 5TH OCTOBER 2016 10:59 AM
Not too long ago , I was advocating that we spend a major portion of our transfer budget on Patrick.
Now , not so. Very strange.
Did he lose confidence over his miss against the hun ?
Perhaps ,Brendan is playing a smart game in an effort to reduce the potential cost of a permanent transfer.
Having said all of that , I would still love Patrick to be signed on a permanent basis.
I get the feeling he is one of us.
Good article on The Golden Boy Award, but no link. You can vote for Moussa Dembele here. He is just behind the AC Milan player so needs more votes.
FAC the Act
KTF
Congratulations to Marc, Almore what a fantastic achievement
In the Q at the ticket office looks like I could be a while:-(.
Pity naebody has come up with the idea for a wee cafe at the ground. :-)
macjay1,
Nothing to do with the hun miss, that can happen. He was on fire early doors this Season. Got a bad one (that I missed) and he has been poor since trying to come back.
The Whole team have raised their game.
Delighted.
Lhads: Thanks again for the kind comments.
Nás na Rí: I left Ireland in ’84 to work in the US. Had great opportunities there but I was like a fish out of water and returned 10 months later, never to look back. Marc’s mam also worked abroad for a couple of years and one of his younger brothers is just home after working in London for two years. The youngest son plans to go to Canada on a two year visa immediately after Christmas so I suppose the travel bug is in the genes.
Dublin v Mayo wasn’t a great game of football but Mayo certainly made the Dubs work hard for their victory.
Here we go, for three in a row…..
https://m.facebook.com/home.php#!/CelticFC/photos/a.181897418516838.37580.133829389990308/1314422245264344/?type=3&source=48&refid=7&_ft_=qid.6337922170186112982%3Amf_story_key.-6237095547290443414&__tn__=E
macjay1 for Neil Lennon on 5th October 2016 11:05 am
I was also looking for Celtic to spend what was required on young Paddy Roberts, but he isn’t the same player since his injury against Astana.
He seems reluctant to take a player on and use his pace. Don’t know if that’s a directive from the Manager or lack of confidence (he can see how well Forrest is playing). Still, I’d be more than happy for him to sign on for us on a permanent basis!
FAC the Act
KTF
Almore,
Congratulations to Marc, you must both be very proud. I met both bhoys in the club last year and they are a credit to you.
Keep up the good work. It’ll be some Christmas in Almore Towers, I’m looking forward to the posts already!
Well Done on Sam.
weecountycsc
VFR800A8 on 5TH OCTOBER 2016 11:18 AM
Thanks. I`d forgotten his injury.
Any possibility that he is performing below his potential to ensure his transfer fee is reasonable and do-able ?
Like you , I hope so.
new article posted.
Clogher
Good to see you posting
Havent seen you on in a while
Hope all well
Test
Apologises but I’ve not read thru all the posts yet today but has a member became a qualified doctor ? If so well done. Congrats.
Now, about this back of mine ????
http://alpha61.com/primenumbershittingbear/