Exciting Celtic youngster Ben Wylie on first-team ambitions; Pogba inspiration

By Euan Davidson

November 2, 2021

If you don’t know the name of Celtic B Team talent Ben Wylie, you will surely know the Irish youngster basing his game off Paul Pogba before too long.

Wylie has undoubtedly been one of the stars of Tommy McIntyre’s B Team. He’s chipped in with goals and assists, as well as generally entertaining SLFL supporters with his movement.

Tipped for big things for a while now, Wylie – who spent the latter part of 20-21 with Ballymena United – is a Northern Ireland youth international. And, like Barry Coffey and Scott Robertson, much is hoped for the 19-year-old in years to come.

Perhaps not unsurprisingly, Wylie was asked who his inspirations were. In answering, he provided the makings of a pretty considerable midfield. Wylie also spoke of his Celtic ambitions, and already has an ideal career mapped out.

Wylie said [Celtic FC]:

“I grew up watching Pogba. Personally, I think he’s the best midfielder on the planet. To base my game around him wouldn’t be a bad shout, I think he’s unbelievable.

“I watch [Rogic and Turnbull] both play and try to base my game around them too as they are playing in the same position. They’re two of the best in the country with what they do.

“I like to get the ball. I like to hurt teams and I like them to worry about me and I like running the game at my speed. As a footballer, my aim is to just go to the highest levels that I can and just push myself as much as possible.

“When I’m old at 30 I can turn around and say I’ve done my best. All in all I just want to be a player at Celtic and break through to the first team and do well for the club.”

Ben Wylie is a Celtic youngster with ambition and a potentially exciting future

One of the stand-out performers for the B Team this season, there can’t be any doubt Ange Postecoglou knows the 19-year-old by now.

B Team coach Darren O’Dea has expressed that there’s a real opportunity for Academy talents to make an impression on the first team. Given the lack of attacking midfielders Celtic have at their disposal currently, there could be an opportunity for Wylie.

After all, why not? Saturday showed us that Callum McGregor is most effective when he’s a number 6. If Ewan Henderson still isn’t pulling up trees at Lennoxtown, and Jota is needed on the wing, Postecoglou could further deliver on a promise he made [Celtic FC].

Perhaps it’s still too early for Wylie to be a starter. But the fact is, we have a first-team that’s scarce for attacking midfield options. Against Dundee or St Johnstone, some first-team exposure for Pogba fan Ben Wylie doesn’t seem unfathomable.

In any event, the strides Wylie has made since returning from Ballymena have been considerable. If he can work with Rogic and Turnbull, two players he’s name-checked as inspiration, why not? There could be a really promising future for the Northern Ireland youth star.

Read more: Why Callum McGregor as a number 6 is so vital to Celtic under Ange Postecoglou