Reserve midfielder Mark Millar has joined Willie McStay on a year long loan at Ujpest Dozsa and could play against Diosgyor this afternoon.
Millar was probably the Player of the Year for the reserves last season but was unlikely to make any progress this season due to the incredible competition for first team places in midfield.
The 21-year-old was competing with Charlie Grant, Simon Ferry, Teddy Bjarnason and Ryan Conroy for a midfield place in the double winning youth side of 2006 but through various circumstances has made more progress than the others.
Millar is an all action midfielder, the original box to box type. Despite his small frame he has a good physical edge to his play and is never afraid to mix it.
MCSTAY
Spending a season alongside McStay in a new environment where he is likely to get regular first team football is exactly the boost that his career needs.
“I saw Mark Millar play last year, and he was one of the eight players we had a look at.” said Istvan Salloi, Ujpest Sports Director. “There are still a few places left to fill within the squad. We are purposefully asking for players from Celtic, and if we get an offer for one of our players, that will also influence the building of the team.”
Millar said: “My first impressions are very positive, the stadium is impressive. I am happy to get the chance to work with Willie McStay once more, as he has a winning mentality. I hope that I will get the chance to play regularly in the first team. That was the reason I signed for Ujpest, and also to win trophies.”
It’ll be interesting to see how Millar develops. Without being outstanding he does have something extra to his game. Coming through the youth and reserve sides he linked up brilliantly with Paul Caddis who has made a favourable impression in his first team appearances.
MIDFIELD
Getting a place in centre midfield is going to ultra-competitive at Celtic this season with Scott Brown and Landry N’Guemo likely to be the first picks with Marc Crosas, Massimo Donati, Willo Flood and then Simon Ferry competing for places.
A season in Hungary, in a new environment but alongside McStay and Joe McBride, will give Millar the experiences and responsibility that he needs to develop his game further.
Breaking into the Celtic first team will be just as difficult in a years time but if it’s not to happen for him at Celtic he’ll be better placed to move on in the game and make a career for himself elsewhere.
AARHUS
Strangely this week Liam Miller and Mick Doyle have been in the news. Both of them benefited from a loan spell with Marc Reiper in Denmark with Aarhus before their careers took off in various directions.
Doyle joined Leeds Utd on loan from Coventry for a season while Miller will join the Irish international side to face Australia without a club. A few sides are interested in signing the former Celtic and Manchester United midfielder who knows that making the right choice could open the door to a place at the World Cup Finals in South Africa.
Look out for more Celts moving out to Hungary and reports on Ujpest through Video Celt
All the best to Mark it would be great to see him impress out there. Much better to play some competitive football than waste another year in the Reserve League, although there's still doubt about a league actually happening.
Joe
Have Celtic decided what to do with the Reserves for next season yet?
Do you expect more than a few to go to Ujpest Dozsa?
Chris DubCentral
Good luck to the lad.
Unsure if he had what it takes.
Nice scoop Joe.
Oh, dry Celtic humour? Yer so kind.
YIC
LoTW
SPL Reserves looks doomed, no fixtures and only a week to go till the start of the season.
I expect moaning chairman to demand something gets started because they are paying out wages to players that aren't getting games. Celtic have plenty of contacts in England, Ireland and around the SFL to arrange matches on a weekly basis.