There were lots of empty seats as Celtic and Middlesbrough played out a draw at Parkhead on Saturday afternoon.
While Celtic fans voted with their feet, Camilo Duran got on the scoresheet again, and Boro’s massive away support stole the headlines, many might have missed the quiet return of Josh Dede.
Dede came through the ranks at Celtic, but he headed for the exit door in the winter and joined Middlesbrough in the Championship.
The versatile fullback isn’t the first to make that step, and he certainly won’t be the last, as Peter Grant defended the player’s call to leave the champions of Scotland.
What’s the point of Celtic’s Academy?
Should Celtic just give it up as the club seem incapable of making the Academy work.
Peter Grant defends Josh Dede after he returns to Celtic with Middlesbrough
“That’s why we should never hold these kids back,” said Grant. “People will say, ‘Oh, you made a mistake by letting that one go.’
“It doesn’t matter. They are hoping to have careers. That’s the most important thing. Whatever the career is.
“Hopefully, go on and play in the Champions League elsewhere or whatever. That’s what you are hoping for. You don’t want to give up. That’s for sure.”
A story Celtic fans have heard many, many times…
Celtic player leaves the academy and joins an English club. It’s happening again, and again and again.
You don’t blame the player in question, because if, at their age, they are being offered more financially rewarding offers, why should they turn it down?
But are those in green and white doing enough to provide these players with a platform? There will be many who think they aren’t.
What’s interesting is that Dede can play at right-back, just like Celtic’s rising star Colby Donovan.
Now, you have to question whether Donovan would have been handed a chance had it not been for injuries last term. Probably not is the answer.
Yet, when you look at Donovan’s performances in Celtic colours, he plays like he belongs and has a future at the club.
Perhaps more chances need to be handed to these younger players, especially when duds are being signed via the transfer market again and again and again.
If that happens, then maybe their heads wouldn’t be turned as much, they then produce for the first-team, earn more financially rewarding contracts and stay put to Celtic’s benefit, rather than watch them go and succeed elsewhere.
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