If there is anything the Celtic fans have learned about pre-season already it’s that the academy is doing its job and producing some talented youngsters.
The draw against Ayr United and the win over Queen’s Park gave the Celtic supporters the chance to see the likes of Bosun Lawal, Josh Dede, Dane Murray and Kyle Ure.
And whilst Lawal and Murray impressed Celtic boss, Brendan Rodgers, so did one other academy prospect who made his first team debut against The Spiders.
Rodgers hails Celtic ‘kid’ Francis Turley
Young Francis Turley has certainly seen himself get thrust into the limelight since scoring against Queen’s Park last week.
And Rodgers reckons the Nothern Ireland U19 international has what it takes to become a top player at Celtic.
Rodgers said [Daily Record], “You see Francis Turley when he comes into the game the other night. It’s a kid I’ve only seen for a couple of days, and if he can progress and get his body right, then he’ll be a proper player. It’s a kid that moves well.
“You see how he moves, how he takes the ball, makes runs, he’s bright, he gets in the box, gets a finish.
“He just needs to get more power and energy, but that’s football, that’s movement, that’s taking the ball, that’s being clever.”
Turley scored Celtic’s sixth goal in the 6-4 win over The Spiders and immediately after the match, Rodgers set about praising the 18-year-old.
In a quick turnaround, young Turley saw his international call-up to the Northern Ireland U19 squad taken away from him as he is now set to join Celtic on their Summer Tour of the USA this week.
Turley will be hoping to impress on the tour and get some minutes against Manchester City, Chelsea and DC United and show Rodgers that he can handle life in the senior squad.
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