Celtic sensation rejects Tottenham offer but talent drain is intensifying
Celtic are seeing an increased number of academy graduates leave the club in search of first-team football elsewhere after Daniel Kelly sealed a move to Millwall.
While Celtic fans are anxiously waiting to see what new players the club sign before the close of the transfer window there must be real concern why another two of their best young talents have decided to leave Parkhead.
Highly-rated midfielder Daniel Kelly is the latest young player to opt to leave Celtic for pastures new following the departure of forward Rocco Vata earlier this summer.
Kelly has agreed a pre-contract to join Millwall in January when his contract at Celtic expires at the end of December.
The 18-year-old turned down offers from Premier League clubs, German sides and also MLS sides to make the move to South London.
Before joining Millwall, Kelly had been offered a new contract under Brendan Rodgers, but he turned down the deal after seeking assurances over his role at the club which were not given.
Vata, 19, also made the move to the English Championship this summer as he signed a four-year contract with Watford.
The Ireland youth international scored his first goal for Celtic in a 5-0 win against Buckie Thistle in January, but played just three minutes in the remainder of the season.
The departures of two of the club’s brightest young stars have raised questions about the pathway into the first-team squad for talents coming through the academy system.
Celtic rising stars struggling to break into the first team
The step up from academy level to senior level is a big step to make. The differences between boys’ and men’s football are often too much for young players early in their careers.
Scottish football, and football in Glasgow especially, comes with its challenges. The intense rivalry of the Old Firm places a unique pressure on the shoulders of their players.
There is a constant demand to be better than their rivals both domestically and in European competitions – and fans expect to win every game they play.
That can also often lead to managers feeling the pressure to win, pushing them towards trusting experienced heads in place of promising young stars.
This has particularly been the case under Rodgers, and it was under his management and guidance that both Kelly and Vata decided their futures were better served elsewhere.
Celtic stars who have taken the step up in recent years
Some of the most high-profile Celtic academy graduates include James Forrest, Callum McGregor, Anthony Ralston and Mikey Johnston, who remain a key part of the first team.
The likes of Kieran Tierney have also come through the academy in recent years, but have since moved on to elite clubs elsewhere.
Since the 2000-2001 season, 51 academy players have featured for the senior side, while 19 of those have played Champions League fixtures – as per the official club website.
However, there has been a notable decline in the number of youth players trusted to take the step up in recent years – with many sent out on loan or opting to leave before getting their chance.
Large sections of the fans have also begun to grow frustrated with the club’s treatment of their young players after Rodgers’ comments on Kelly before pre-season.
Speaking ahead of their tour of the USA, the boss explained: “I spoke with the agents and the player some months back to say, ‘Listen, if we can’t tidy this up by the summer, then it’s very hard to be with the team in pre-season’. It’s as simple as that.”
Kelly was highly-regarded within the corridors of power at Celtic breaking into the first-team and making six first-team appearances for the Scottish champions.
Despite this, once a new deal could not be agreed, the club took a hardline stance on the player and he was left out of the club’s pre-season plans making a departure almost inevitable.
Kelly made his senior debut under Rodgers, but wanted to leave in search of more first-team opportunities.
A move to Millwall appealed due to the clear pathway on show, which was demonstrated when 18-year-old Alfie Massey was handed his professional debut in the Carabao Cup win v Portsmouth on 13 August.
Daniel Kelly and Rocco Vata rejected interest from elite clubs
Italian outfit Torino, alongside a host of Premier League and Serie A clubs, had been tracking Vata’s progress before he opted for a move to Watford.
That choice has already proved fruitful as the 19-year-old made his first start for the Hornets in their 5-0 Carabao Cup victory against MK Dons.
Kelly, meanwhile, had attracted interest from some of Europe’s elite clubs including Tottenham, managed by former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou, and German champions Bayer Leverkusen.
However, the midfielder rejected offers from those clubs and decided his best option was to join Millwall.
It is a brave decision from Kelly to snub the overtures from more glamorous clubs to make the switch to the Championship side with the intention of having a quicker pathway to first-team football.
Losing a player with huge potential like Kelly will come as a disappointment for Celtic fans and losing talented youngsters rather than producing academy products for the first team could haunt the club in the future.
Celtic’s loss in seeing Kelly move is definitely Millwall’s gain as the teenager sets about establishing himself as a first-team player at the Den and progressing his career.
In other news, Celtic are set to accept a £25million bid for Matt O’Riley before 31 August.
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