Cork City manager Colin Healy has stated that he would “love to” keep Celtic youngster Barry Coffey with his loan spell just about up.
Coffey’s deal at Parkhead expires at the end of the month and has yet to break into the Hoops first-team since his arrival in 2017. It was said at the time that Celtic had beaten the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea to his signature [Scottish Sun].
The player was given his first loan move in the second half of last season when he joined Cliftonville. However, he’s spent the entire campaign this year with Cork City, bagging 11 goals in 24 appearances for the club [Transfermarkt].
And Healy wants to take him back to Cork as he addressed the futures of Coffey and fellow loanee Matt Healy. As quoted by the Irish Examiner, Healy said: “We’d love to keep them because they’re doing well for us, they like it here and they’re happy. Barry is up (at Celtic) but we’ll have conversations with the two lads and see how it goes.
“The players like them in the dressing-room. There’s a good atmosphere and environment around the training ground. It’s up to them if they want to stay but we’d be delighted if they remained on with us.” The pull factors for the players are clear to see.
“What I would say about the two lads is they’re playing here and scoring goals. They’re young players, still only 20 and 21, and it’s part of their development. They’re learning the game. We’re going well and are full-time, playing in front of good crowds. I’d like to think that we’re giving them everything we can to become better players. They’re enjoying it and I think they’re improving with every game. It’s good for them and good for me”
Barry Coffey appears unlikely to stay at Celtic as future looks brighter elsewhere
At 21 years of age, Coffey is simply at the stage where he needs to be playing games. He’s no longer 17 or 18 years old. First-team experience wherever he can get it is essential for him.
Ange Postecoglou will have been keeping tabs on his progress. However, as impressive as his form looks on paper, it’s a much lower level than what he would be expected to compete at with Celtic. It’s all about whether the Hoops still see long-term potential within him.
Coffey has had a productive year with Cork regardless. They currently sit top of the league in the early stages of the new first division campaign and could be on the hunt for title glory this season.
Even if he was to stay at Celtic Park on a new contract, you would still expect him to be loaned straight back out in the summer. The reality is that he’s just too far down in the pecking order at the moment. Whether his progress justifies a new contract is debatable.
Coffey hasn’t made a first-team appearance at Parkhead but has clearly enjoyed the best spell of his career with Cork. He’s been playing at a club that’s placed their trust in him and he’s certainly thriving off of it.
But whether it’s Cork or a new venture, it doesn’t appear as though a long-term future at Celtic Park is still likely.
In other news, Scott McDonald says rivals “failed” at Celtic Park as he sets derby narrative straight
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