Ange Postecoglou has sent another youngster out on loan, with young Celtic left-back Brody Paterson joining Airdrie, the Diamonds have announced.
The North Lanarkshire club had already snared Kerr McInroy from Celtic in 21-22. Now, Paterson adds some youthful zest down the left flank. At just 20, Paterson’s potential has been spoken about at Lennoxtown for a few years, and he’s featured for the B Team on a number of occasions.
Inspired by Kieran Tierney, and galvanised by a spell at Queen’s Park, Paterson is heading out once more for loan football.
The Celtic youngster sounded delighted as he was unveiled by Airdrie manager Ian Murray. He said [Airdrie FC]: “I’m buzzing. I’ve known about this for a few weeks now and I’m just really happy that it’s finally gone ahead.
“I just want to help the team get the promotion that we’ve been playing towards all season, play as many games as I can, and hopefully play my part.”
Murray, formerly a player for Rangers and Hibernian, added: “We’re really delighted to get Brody in, he’s a natural left-sided player who has done really well in Celtic’s B team.
“We’ve been waiting for him for a while with Celtic’s situation, so it’s really good to get him in as we go into a tough second part of the season.”
Paterson could make his debut as early as tonight. Airdrieonians play Clyde at the Broadwood Stadium at 7.45pm this evening.
Celtic and Ange continue to make good moves with Brody Paterson heading out to Airdrie
Brody Paterson, it’s worth remembering, made some really astute comments after he came back from his loan at Queen’s Park. Playing against semi-professionals really left a mark on the youngster, giving him an entirely new perspective on the gift of the game.
After his loan last season, he said [Celtic FC]: “At Queen’s Park I was playing against men who are playing for their livelihood.
“They’ve got to play for mortgages, kids – it just means that little bit extra to them. It was a really good experience.”
It’ll be a higher level for him this time, but a lot remains the same. Paterson will be going against players who, by and large, haven’t had Academy training. They’ve not had the resources available to a Celtic youth player. The stakes are high, but it’s a rough-and-tumble tier, with Airdrie expecting to chase promotion. Just as Queen’s Park did, last season.
So, for the Celtic youngster, it’s a really good move. With the competition ahead of him in Ange’s Celtic first-team, he’s just not ready yet. Fellow Academy talent Adam Montgomery is also being shopped for loan deals, which tells a story.
In time, though, a lot is hoped for Brody Paterson. Undoubtedly a player full of energy, running and the technical benefits of a youth spent with Celtic, he’ll be a welcome addition to the Airdrie fold.
Whether we see him tonight is another question. But he may well find himself alongside another Celtic youngster in the Airdrie team this season.
Read more: Wim Jansen: the gentle genius who turned the tide for Celtic
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