Celtic midfielder Scott Robertson has confirmed he is set for a January exit after being told he won’t be offered a new deal at Parkhead.
Reports earlier in the week indicated that several sides from England and Scotland were watching closely after the academy prospect was told he won’t have a future at the club.
The Daily Record stated that Stephen Robinson’s St Mirren and a reunion with legendary Hoops figure Scott Brown at Fleetwood Town were on the cards.
Robertson’s rise through the academy kick-started in 2019, when he made his first appearance for the Hoops, alongside Brown, in a Europa League tie against Cluj.
Shortly after his debut, the young midfielder was handed a new contract and looked to potentially be one of the stars for the future at Parkhead.
Loan moves to Gillingham, Doncaster, and Crewe soon followed, where the Scottish youngster made an impression in the English third tier.
However, unfortunately, his opportunity in the Hoops first team never came, with only a handful of friendly appearances following.
As we approach the January transfer window, the academy hopeful now looks set for an exit after being told his contract at Parkhead won’t be renewed.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Record, Roberston delivered an honest and fair assessment of his situation as he looked towards the next chapter of his career.
He said: “I’m weirdly looking forward to getting a new team, facing a fresh challenge and playing regularly. The manager will have a meeting with me on Thursday to tell me what’s been decided, but I’m already aware of the situation.
“My agent told me last week after he’d been on a phone call with the manager and chief executive Michael Nicholson, and they told him I couldn’t be guaranteed game time and there wouldn’t be a contract extension next summer.
“I’ve missed that feeling of getting ready for a game on a Saturday and gaining that consistency which playing week after week brings.
“Whether I move in January or in the summer remains to be seen, but I’m excited about what the future will bring. It’s about waiting to see if the right club comes along and taking careful consideration of the options out there.”
He continued: “Ever since the gaffer came into Celtic, he’s spoken about trying to build something special. Part and parcel of that is bringing new players in, and others will leave. It’s a brutal business, and this January will see others come and go, and it’s just the nature of football.
“I wouldn’t use the word ‘frustration’ over my attempts to become a first-team regular, but you are always told as a young player here you need to be better than all of the players who are brought in. That’s a fact of life at a club of this size and the challenge to every academy player – and it’s easier said than done.
“You know what you are letting yourself in for, and the gaffer believes he has better players than myself in the midfield positions, and I need to respect that. It’s now my job to go on in my career and prove him wrong.
“The biggest thing for me over the last four months has been training every week and knowing it’s going to take a few injuries for me to get a first-team game. I couldn’t have asked for a better grounding.
“Playing against CFR Cluj in a Europa League group stage game under Neil Lennon in 2019 was a real highlight, but I’ve got to ensure there is a new and successful chapter about to open for me.
“Celtic are a massive club and carry a large squad, and the competition for a start is so fierce it’ll always mean it’s tough for any young player, but you wouldn’t swap the chance to try and do that for anything.”
Scott Robertson set for next step as Celtic hopes come to a close.
As a Celtic supporter, we always love to see academy talents rising through the ranks at Parkhead before going on to make their debut.
Robertson was able to experience that moment, playing for the Hoops in Europe back in 2019, before going on to have some solid spells on loan.
Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for the midfielder on this occasion, and he is now preparing to take the next big step in his career.
The Scottish youngster has showcased the quality he can possess during his time out on loan and rising through the ranks.
So, there is no doubt in my mind we will see him go on to be a success elsewhere, and it would be great to see him link up with a former Hoops captain in Scott Brown.
Robertson’s assessment of the situation is very fair, and he realises the demands that come with being an academy hopeful at Parkhead.
We wish him all the best on his next step, and we should hear soon more with the January transfer window quickly approaching.
In other news, Celtic yet to make move for linked midfielder as MLS side open talks.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
