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Photo by Paul Ursachi/MB Media/Getty Images
Celtic can't toy with the development of Scott Robertson and others - they deserve better
Given all the drama that surrounded Celtic on Monday, it was easy to miss that the club have recalled Scott Robertson from his loan at Gillingham.
The young midfielder was originally due to stay at the Gills for the season.
However, with the squad depleted for matches against Hibernian and Livingston, the club took the decision to bring him back up the road.
Steve Evans confirmed the news yesterday.
The Celtic-daft Gillingham boss sounded disappointed, telling The Scottish Sun: “Celtic sent us a good player and I believe Scott’s going back to Glasgow an even better one.
“He’s been an absolute credit to Celtic and his family and we thank him very much for his professionalism and performances with us.
“I spoke to him at lunchtime to say Celtic were recalling him and he immediately thanked me and everyone else at Gillingham for his period here.
“Scott has gained great experience in League One. It’s a tough division and after a bit of time adjusting, he grew in confidence. He has impressed us all.”
Scott Robertson deserves a Celtic chance, but…
Some may argue it’s overkill on Celtic’s part to recall a settled played for a couple of matches in January when the league is all but over.
The club are simply ensuring the best players are available, so the decision can’t be criticised too much.
Celtic youngster Scott Robertson / (Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)
However, Celtic have to treat this situation sensibly. We can’t allow this Dubai crisis to alter the planned development path of prospects such as Robertson.
Frankly, they deserve better than that.
If Celtic are going to give players such as Robertson and Cameron Harper a chance in the first-team, great.
However, it should be a sustained chance, based on merit as much as possible.
With the Scottish Premiership likely beyond us this term – why not prioritise playing time for these emerging players instead of persisting with Scott Brown, Shane Duffy and senior ‘stars’ with no Celtic future?
Celtic fan reaction
That’s the concern for some Celtic fans in the wake of this loan recall news.
There’s a perception that the club are mismanaging youth players as a direct, panicky response to this self-isolation debacle.
These supporters have taken to social media to share their thoughts on Robertson’s situation…
Worried this will mess with players like Robertson, etc. Going out on loan and in a routine and then being called back because your parent club are a bunch of clowns…
— Eddy Walsh (@eddy_walsh) January 11, 2021
Similar situation to Stephen Welsh being recalled from Morton last year – Think he’ll be in and around the next two squads and potentially loaned back out before the window’s closed
— Colin Watt (@Colin88Watt) January 11, 2021
Bring back Hendry and Shved too. What about Boli?? What a mess.
— CwispyCwunch (@Richard_McKay_) January 11, 2021
Sincerely hope we haven’t recalled Scott Robertson for just a couple of games whereby he then goes back to the reserves.
— Michael_B (@TenMenWonTheLea) January 12, 2021
Thats just panicking should leave him were he is if he’s getting games, we have a good midfield 4 tonight with Connell and Henderson on the bench
— Sean Berry 🇮🇪🍀 (@berrier7) January 11, 2021
What for the Livingston match….overkill.
— CMac (@CMackie659) January 11, 2021
I actually feel for all the young lads coming into the team at the moment having to help sort the mess out that the club is in at the moment!
— Kieran O’Boyle (@kieranoboyle77) January 11, 2021
100%, this does absolutely no good for their development
— Fr. Jemima Racktool (@JemimaFr) January 11, 2021
In other news, Andy Walker has delivered an extraordinary on-air rant aimed at Celtic.
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