Brendan Rodgers expanded on Daniel Cummings’ excellent form for Celtic B as questions continue to be asked surrounding whether the young striker will be given an opportunity in the senior fold.
At the time of writing, the Scotland Under-19 international has netted 20 times in 18 appearances this campaign across all competitions.
Producing consistency in front of goal, this form has come about as his contract ticks into it’s final year at Celtic. Unsurprisingly, several English clubs are now tracking Daniel Cummings, who could be available for cross-border compensation if they manage to prize him away from Parkhead.
Since returning north of the border, Brendan Rodgers views promoting homegrown Celtic talent a priority that the club will look to follow during his second tenure.
In light of that, the manager has spoken about how he plans to achieve that feat when asked whether Cummings could be the Bhoys’ next breakout star.
Brendan Rodgers on Daniel Cummings’ prospects at Celtic
Speaking in his press conference ahead of the Bhoys’ trip to face Hearts tomorrow, Rodgers made it clear that patience is a key factor for any youngster hoping to make the grade at Parkhead.
Referencing Cummings and others, he explained: “There’s so much involved in a young player getting an opportunity to play. I would like to think that I’ve been a coach that all my career, I’ve put in young players. If you trace my career back as a manager, before (in) my 15 years as a youth development coach, I’ve played players at 16 years of age, 17, 18.
“It’s not just about scoring goals or performing, it’s your mentality, it’s your professionalism, it’s all these things alongside ability that is what gets you the opportunity, so that’s always something I’ll assess. I think in terms of Daniel’s output, his goals in his games, he’s done very well.
“Okay, but like I say, there’s lots of things that when I bring in a young player, I consider. Young players will always get a chance here and there’s always a number of factors why they can or can’t get a chance, but the first one’s normally ability. If they’re good enough, they’ll get a chance.
“You’ll hear all these things about Celtic and the pathway. There’s not a pathway here, so they won’t get a chance. If you’re good enough you’ll get a chance. Good enough in terms of your game and good enough in your attitude. If you do that, and you have a little bit of patience, you can become a Celtic player like Callum McGregor, like Kieran Tierney, like Tony Ralston, like Stephen Welsh, like Dane Murray who’s played some games.
“You’ll get a chance, but you’ve got to have the right traits in order to be a Celtic player.”
Brendan Rodgers has laid down the gauntlet to Celtic hopefuls
Routinely, there will be some who complain about the lack of Celtic Academy products in the senior fold and why it harms the wider Scottish game.
Everyone wants to see homegrown talent blossoming, but if they don’t have the prerequisites to fit Rodgers’ aggressive style of play, they won’t be given an opportunity.
Why is that? There is a pressure to win at Celtic that sees the club regularly scrutinized at close quarters. With so much jeopardy riding on more or less every match, there is literally no room for manouevre.
Whether that is right or wrong is up for debate. Either way, talent also needs to come with a healthy portion of hard work and dedication. Cummings appears to have those qualities down, so hopefully he can seize any opportunities that are forthcoming.
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