Former Celtic B talent joins League One side after English interest

By Lewis Laird

September 22, 2022

Former Celtic academy prospect Ryan Mullen has completed a move to Scottish League One side Clyde.

The 21-year-old came through the ranks at Lennoxtown, joining the club’s academy from a young age.

After impressing as a 16-year-old in the UEFA Youth League, the club handed the young goalkeeper a three-year deal before signing a similar extension in 2020 [Celtic FC].

The next stage of Mullen’s development following time with the club’s youth sides was to head out on loan, and he joined Scottish lower league side Cove Rangers.

However, injury issues at Cove meant that the shot-stopper never got going and quickly returned to the club.

His next loan came the following year, as he joined fellow Celtic teammates/academy youngsters Brody Paterson and Luca Connell at Queens Park.

The Celtic trio helped the Spiders achieve promotion from Scottish League Two, but Mullen mostly played second fiddle during his time there.

During the 2021/22 campaign, Mullen finally got his chance to play more football as he and Tobi Oluwayemi shared the role of B team goalkeeper in the Lowland League.

Mullen played his part in keeping the second-best defensive record in the fifth tier of Scottish Football last season. However, in the summer, the club took the decision not to take up their year option on the goalkeeper’s contract, and he was released.

The youngster has been on the hunt for a new club all summer, and reports suggested that English Championship side Sheffield United offered Mullen a trial [Scottish Daily Express].

Recently relegated Scottish League One side Dunfermline also had the goalkeeper on trial. But, following the end of the summer transfer window, he was still without a club.

As a free agent, Mullen was still able to make his move to a new side, and this afternoon the ex-Celtic academy players’ next club was finally announced.

After participating in their pre-season preparations and appearing on the bench as a trialist, fellow League One side Clyde has confirmed that the goalkeeper has signed a contract until the end of the season.

Reacting to the signing, Clyde boss Danny Lennon said [Clyde FC]: “Competition in every area of the pitch is important. Ryan has been training with us for a while and is an excellent keeper who will push the other two for game time. We welcome him to the club and look forward to his contributions.” 

It is never nice to see young players released by the club, particularly when they spend a large spell of the summer without a permanent home.

So, it is great to hear that Ryan Mullen has now signed a 12-month contract with Clyde as they look to compete in the Scottish third tier.

The young shot-stopper might have been highly regarded at Parkhead and looked solid between the sticks for the clubs B side last campaign. However, he unfortunately found himself behind Oluwayemi in the pecking order, who has spent plenty of time working with Ange Postecoglou’s first team.

Mullen will also have a great moment to savour when he featured for the Hoops on the bench during the 3-1 win over St Johnstone last campaign.

We wish him all the very best of luck for the future!

In other news, Celtic set for raucous RB Leipzig reception.