Head of the Celtic youth academy Chris McCart is encouraged by Ange Postecoglou’s initial comments about utilising young players at the club.
In Postecoglou’s first interview as Celtic manager, he made it clear he saw youth development as a key part of his strategy at Celtic Park.
They were comments that excited players such as Stephen Welsh, as we discussed yesterday after our chat with him. No doubt it was a great thing to hear for other young players coming through Lennoxtown too.
If such a strategy is to prove successful, then Postecoglou will be working very closely with McCart.
The long-serving coach has already overseen a number of young players make a breakthrough from the academy into the first team. That includes Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor and James Forrest.
Asked about the new manager’s comments [Celtic YouTube], he said: “I think first and foremost the Celtic manager has to come in and win games. The academy players have to be of the standard.
“I think we’ve got to hit the ground running. I think the players up around the first team just now will be given an opportunity. But it’s ultimately down to the players to go and impress the manager.
“It is exciting for them. But they have to got to make sure their fitness is right, their preparation is right and they give themselves every chance.
“I think we’ve been really fortunate in the past decade. The managers that have come in, they’ve been prepared to give young players a chance. They also know the environment that they have win games and win titles. But they’ve been prepared to throw the young players in.”
Pathway from Celtic youth academy needs to be clearer
Although we’ve had some stellar talent come through the ranks at Lennoxtown, that has slowed down in recent years.
You could argue that’s as a result of the club and supporters being fixated on ten-in-a-row. Or simply Neil Lennon playing too many favourites.
The lack of reserve or youth matches in 2020 was also a problem. This will hopefully be solved by the inclusion of a colt team in the Lowland League.
However, it does feel like Celtic need a clearer, more defined path for young talent to impress and be given chances in the senior side. From Postecoglou’s initial comments, he wants that too.
In recent seasons there’s been an exodus of young talent to clubs in England and Germany. That can’t continue. You have to wonder if the club could have done more to retain them.
Hopefully, the new boss and McCart will be on the same page and can work closely to identify who has the attributes and mental fortitude for first-team football early in their career. Utilising the right talents could be a huge boost to the first-team squad.
In other news, massive boost for former Celtic favourite Kieran Tierney.
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