Ethan Mitchell’s move to Dalbeattie Star is another reminder that Celtic’s academy can produce footballers, but the club still needs to do more to turn them into first-team players.
The young goalkeeper has joined Dalbeattie following the expiry of his contract at Cumbernauld and arrives with senior experience already on his CV after spells with Annan Athletic and St Roch’s.
It is good news for Mitchell as he takes the next step in Scottish football. But from a Celtic point of view, it also brings the same first-team pathway problem back into focus.
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Celtic still need more academy players in the first team
Mitchell is not the problem here. Like many before him, he has kept going after leaving Celtic and has continued his career elsewhere.
The annoying thing for Celtic supporters is simple. Producing professional footballers matters, but at a club of Celtic’s size, the academy is judged on how many players get close to the first team.
Mitchell left Celtic in 2022 before joining Annan Athletic and has kept his career moving in senior football.
His latest move shows how difficult that jump from academy football to the Celtic first team remains.
Celtic academy debate continues after Ethan Mitchell move
Dalbeattie manager David Taylor clearly believes he has secured a useful addition.
He told The Galloway News, “We are delighted to secure the services of Ethan, who is one of two fantastic goalkeepers we have brought to the club, and can’t wait for him to get in and get started with us following the expiration of his current contract at Cumbernauld.
“He is a highly rated goalkeeper and has previous first-team experience with Annan Athletic, which will stand him in good stead for our upcoming campaign.”
Mitchell deserves credit for securing another club and Dalbeattie clearly see him as someone who can help them this season.
The Celtic academy debate is not going anywhere. Until more academy players start reaching the first team, moves like Mitchell’s will keep Lennoxtown under the microscope.
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