Former Celtic development coach Stephen Frail has pointed out the excellent factor in the Bhoys’ recent resurgence.
In our win against Hearts, the Celtic side featured four Academy graduates in the starting line-up. Amongst the glamour of names like Japanese star Kyogo Furuhashi and former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, Hoops youngsters have established themselves as regular players.
Not least Callum McGregor, the club’s captain. James Forrest, a resurgent Anthony Ralston and young centre-back Stephen Welsh also made the starting XI.
While fans have been left to wonder where Academy talents have gone over recent seasons, there’s now sufficient evidence for young players that they can make a breakthrough. Granted, the inclusions of Ralston and Welsh are a function of squad depth. However, neither have disgraced themselves this season so far.
In fact, the duo have been amongst our best players thus far.
Frail, who was a youth coach at Celtic for 6 years [Transfermarkt], said [Scottish Sun]:
“Clearly, the transitional situation at Celtic has allowed for boys like [Ralston] to get a chance. But you still have to take it and he definitely has.
“And even if Celtic, as seems likely, buy another right-back then I hope it can encourage Anthony to keep on improving.
“I didn’t coach Stephen Welsh at Celtic but I did once get the opportunity, courtesy of Ricky Sbragia, to work with him for Scotland Under-16s and I was really impressed.
“When you consider also how well Dane [Murray] and Adam [Montgomery] have done this season then it’s great credit to Celtic’s academy — but to the manager and John Kennedy, too, for how they’re backing them.
“Celtic had four home-grown players in the starting line-up for the win over Hearts and that’s first class.
“Hopefully others can make the breakthrough.”
Stephen Frail is right: First-team examples and B Team exposure could have excellent long-term effects
For the first time in a considerable while, it feels like there’s a significant flurry of quality youth players at Celtic.
That’s no harm to the previous generations of players who have come through the Academy, many of whom are having fine careers after leaving Celtic. It’s just that, this current crop have real, significant potential.
The exposure to first-team football is a considerable factor. If there’s no future beyond this season for a “Colts” side, that’s a real shame. Clearly though, the standard of coaching, the tactical knowledge of the players and the opportunity to shine has had a real lasting effect.
Yes, we’ve waited a while for Ralston to come good. And, yes, it may well be that he’s replaced by a shinier name. That’s probably the right call to make. However, his progress in recent weeks has been excellent. It’s also a big deal that a former Academy talent is our captain.
Meanwhile, James Forrest is closing in on two outstanding records in the Green and White.
Is there progress to be made? 100% there is, yes. A concerning number of promising talents have left our Academy to the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester City. Largely, through lack of game-time and the chance to be coached by some of the top youth development figures in the game.
But Frail is bang on. It’s first-class to have four key figures emerge from our youth ranks. Long may it continue and improve.
Read more: Frustrating saga drawn to a conclusion
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