There has been a lot of talk around Celtic’s academy, and why players are not coming through at a stronger rate.
Celtic fans have seen time and time again, players head for the academy exit door and join sides in so-called bigger leagues.
One of those players included former Celtic talent Armstrong Oko-Flex, who left Glasgow in 2021 when Ange Postecoglou joined the club and signed for West Ham United.
Oko-Flex struggled to find a home after moving to the London Stadium, where he made only one appearance, and now he has created history in Bulgaria with Levski Sofia by winning the league title.
Why are Celtic struggling to bring through academy players?
Armstrong Oko-Flex wins the league title in Bulgaria
Oko-Flex only made two appearances for Celtic, playing against Hibernian and Livingston from the bench.
But five years after leaving, the young Irish winger, who is now 24, has helped Levski Sofia win Bulgaria’s main crown for the first time in 17 years.
Make no bones about it, Oko-Flex hasn’t just been a bit-part player, but he has provided 14 goal involvements during this title win.
- Games: 25
- Goals: 8
- Assists: 6
Colby Donovan is the example at Celtic
Let’s be honest, if Celtic didn’t have injury problems at right-back this season, mainly to Alistair Johnston, then would fans have really seen Colby Donovan emerge?
It was only when Johnston and Anthony Ralston were injured that Donovan got his chance under Brendan Rodgers at the start of the campaign.
But amid Celtic’s B team pulling out of the Lowland League, Donovan is showing the powers that be that, in some cases, it’s just about giving these players a chance.
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