Celtic have a number of youngsters on loan this season. When they return, they will be hoping to have given Ange Postecoglou enough reasons to include them in his plans moving forward.
One that has been impressing this season is on-loan Celtic defender, Adam Montgomery.
Currently at St Johnstone, Montgomery has established himself in The Saints’ first team. He has made 30 appearances for the relegation battlers and it seems his efforts at trying to help keep St Johnstone in the SPFL have not gone unnoticed.
This morning, Montgomery was nominated for the Scottish Football Writers’ Young Player of the Year Award. The award recognises the contribution that some of Scotland’s best young talents have offered this season.
Montgomery is up against Motherwell right back Max Johnston, Dundee midfielder Lyall Cameron and Albion Rovers’ Charlie Reilly who, ironically, faced off Matt O’Riley and Liel Abada for the PFA Young Player of the Year Award.[Football Scotland].
Does Montgomery have a future at Celtic?
It does look difficult for the young man as Celtic do already have Greg Taylor and Alexandro Bernabei at the club. But at just 20 years old, Montgomery still has a lot of developing to do and he does have certain strengths that could stand him in good stead.
It is clear he doesn’t let disappointment hinder him. After being loaned to Aberdeen last season, his spell was dealt a cruel blow after he picked up a hamstring injury that kept him out for a lengthy period of time.
He eventually only made eight appearances for The Dons but was starting to impress after a difficult start.
Putting that disappointment behind him, the following season he moved on to St Johnstone where even under the strenuous circumstances of seeing Callum Davidson dismissed and battling relegation, he still kept his high standards of performance.
What this shows is that Montgomery has the mental strength to succeed at Celtic. And there is no doubt there is talent there to boot.
Montgomery impressed Ange Postecoglou early on in the Celtic manager’s tenure. He made 18 appearances for Celtic in Ange’s first season in which he featured heavily in wins against AZ Alkmaar, Ferencvaros and Real Betis in the Europa League.
He also played his part with an assist in Celtic’s 2-1 win over Aberdeen that season in a game that is widely recognised by the Celtic fans as the result that kickstarted our season.
So although it will be very difficult, it is not unreasonable to suggest that the left-back could still play a part in the Celtic first team.
But for now, let’s hope Montgomery can continue his development in Perth and contribute to keeping his loan club’s stature as an SPFL club safe.
In other news, Celtic sign highly-rated teenage striker amid English Premier League interest
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