National team manager admits he wishes Celtic youngster was with his squad right now

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Young Francis Turley is a player who is making a name for himself at Celtic after his debut goal against Queen’s Park last Wednesday night.

Signed as a 16-year-old on a three-year deal in 2022, Turley introduced himself to the Celtic fans after Brendan Rodgers gave him a run-out against The Spiders.

Rodgers was impressed with Turley’s ‘natural instinct’ to attack and the Celtic youngster was then rewarded with a call-up to the Northern Ireland U19 squad for the upcoming 2024 UEFA Championships which is due to start today.

McAuley will ‘not deprive’ Turley of Celtic’s USA Summer Tour

However, it seems Turley won’t be making an appearance at the tournament and national boss, Gareth McAuley, explains why ahead of the tournament kick-off today.

McAuley said [Belfast Telegraph print edition page 40], “We have lost Fra Turley to Celtic, which is bittersweet.

“You want him here, but you would also not deprive the boy of travelling with Brendan in pre-season.

“He scored for Celtic against Queen’s Park and has thrown himself into the mix, but it’s a conveyor belt.

“The focus is on what we have, which is our core, give or take a few. That is something all the coaches will experience because this is not in a UEFA window.

“We feel it should be so we are seeing the best of the best.”

So it seems that young Turley is set to become part of Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic squad for the 2024 USA Summer Tour which kicks off against DC United on the 21st of July.

Celtic are also set to face English Premier League giants, Manchester City (24th) and Chelsea (27th) and the Hoops support will be hoping to catch more of the now 18-year-old midfielder in the States.

Turley made 16 appearances for Celtic B last season and also left Player Pathway Manager, Darren O’Dea really impressed with his impact in the team.