Andy Walker explains why Daniel Kelly leaving Celtic to join Millwall was the ‘right decision’

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Daniel Kelly’s move to Millwall from Celtic is one that has disappointed much of the Celtic support this summer.

Despite Celtic being paid a £400,000 fee for a player they could have lost for nothing in December, to lose the potential of Kelly to the English Championship side is still a sore one to take.

At just 18, Kelly had broken into the Celtic matchday squad and was given his full debut last season. After scoring against Buckie Thistle in the Scottish Cup, the youngster was showing signs that the club had a quality player in their youth ranks.

However, with Kelly’s contract running down, the ball was in the youngsters’ court. And despite claims that he wanted to stay, the Celtic academy graduate turned down a £5,000 per week contract and opted to sign for Millwall last week.

Walker: Daniel Kelly’s Celtic exit was the ‘right decision’

Commenting on the move, Andy Walker explained why he thought the decision by Kelly to turn down Celtic for Millwall was the correct one for the young midfielder.

Walker told The Go Radio Football Show, “I’m covering Hull and Millwall. I see that Millwall have taken young Daniel Kelly from Celtic for a nominal fee of £400,000.

“I think this is just another example of a young lad, who in my view, has made the right decision.

“It’s so difficult for a young player at Celtic, and Rangers for that matter, and I would say at most clubs in the top flight of Scottish football, so difficult to get a regular game, to make progress, to improve.

“And I think if he’s going to Millwall and he’s going to be playing more often, that has to be good news for him.”

Whilst it will be difficult for many Celtic fans to agree with, Walker’s opinion on this is bang on.

The number of opportunities offered to young players for first-team football at Celtic has been poor and from what Millwall’s director of football has said about Kelly, it seems that he is going to play a big part in their future.

Celtic have now got plans in place to develop a pathway for academy youngsters who are good enough to progress into the first team.

And in Brendan Rodgers, the club also has a manager who is keen to develop youth at Celtic. The supporters will also hope progress on this will be made soon as the club can ill-afford to continue losing their top prospects for such small fees moving forward.