Celtic’s decision to pull the B team out of the Lowland League may be the right one; however, it sends a concerning message about the state of the academy.
Reports claimed that Celtic B would withdraw from the Lowland League, where they have struggled to make any sort of impact.
Designed to give the next generation of Bhoys some exposure to senior football, the benefits of it have never been fully realised and other development plans will need to be considered.
Have Celtic made the right call in withdrawing the B team from the Lowland League?
Celtic have struggled to get players to progress to the first team
Since the Hoops first registered to compete in the Lowland League five years ago, only Owen Moffatt and Colby Donovan have progressed to the first-team from the Celtic academy.
Moffatt made his one and only appearance under Ange Postecoglou and Donovan has been a regular this season.
Meanwhile, talented youngsters are benefitting from loan spells higher up the pyramid as the likes of Kyle Ure and Jude Bonnar gain experience at Ayr United while Josh Clarke is the number one for Partick Thistle.
Ben Gannon-Doak hinted that he left due to the lack of opportunities to play first-team football and, in fairness to him, he was ready to play.
However, it is clear that a large crop of the next generation are not at the standards required to make the step-up.
Who will be the next academy star to come through at Celtic?
Aside from Donovan, options have looked few and far between when it comes to the next generation.
Ure seems like the best hope, and could even be the long-term replacement for Callum McGregor.
Why are Celtic struggling to bring through academy players?
He worked alongside Scott Brown to elevate his game and is best-placed to try and compete.
Finlay Hale has been named in some of the Europa League matchday squads and striker Samuel Isiguzo may find an opening due to the struggles in front of goal.
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