Former youth team skipper Charlie Grant has decided to quit football at the age of 24.
The hard working midfielder seemed a certainty to reach the top when he captained Celtic to the 2006 double of SPL title and SFA Youth Cup.
Playing alongside Simon Ferry the duo looked like they could form the first team midfield for years to come with their box-to-box ability, range of passing and tackling ability as well as knowing the way to goal.
Willie McStay had an embarrassment of riches to choose from with Teddy Bjarnsson, Ryan Conroy and Mark Millar also competing for midfield places.
Grant and Ferry played for Scotland against Spain in the final of the 2006 European Championships but after joining Gordon Strachan’s side in Poland in pre-season injuries kicked in and denied him the chance that he craved.
Sadly Grant’s career has been spent largely in the treatment room over the last five years and after spells at Dundee and East Stirling where his enjoyment was on the wane he’s decided to make a clean break from the game.
Inflammation known as Osteitis Pubis was at the root of the problem which caused various groin and muscle problems forcing Grant to call it a day.
He explained: “I’ve had six operations and numerous injections on top of those. I knew within myself that every one was weakening the area. At the time I wanted to take the gambles. But enough’s enough.
“I finished off at East Stirling because I’d known Jim McInally when he was youth coach at Celtic. To begin with it was the first time I’d enjoyed football in ages, but that didn’t last and in January I told him I wasn’t happy.
“His reply was the best advice I’ve ever had – he told me there were more important things in life than football. That was a wake-up call and since then I have been a lot happier.
“I told Jim last Thursday I was going to pack it in at the end of the season but on Saturday I told him I wouldn’t be back. It wasn’t fair for me to go there and play ahead of guys who were enjoying it.
“I was watching people with enthusiasm and who loved the game and I knew I didn’t have that anymore. I was sick of football.
“I was taking things out on my family and I wasn’t a nice person to be around. I spoke to Jim and while he felt I’d a career in the game, he accepted my decision.”
Throughout four grim years at Celtic fighting injury Charlie always remained upbeat and showed a real love for being at the club.
Constant good luck wishes must have been double edged as he fought bravely against injury knowing that his career was ebbing away.
Last February I spoke to him after a brief substitute appearance in the wind and rain against Shamrock Rovers and he seemed in his element to be back playing regularly.
Four days later he was queuing up outside the Broomloan Road stand wearing the colours looking forward to cheering on Celtic at Ibrox in a match ruined by Dougie McDonald’s red card for Scott Brown.
His support of Celtic is unlikely to ever fade away but it’s understandable that his love of the game ebbed away as injury after injury took it’s toll.
“At first my injury felt like a tight groin,” he recalled to the News of the World. “Then I was diagnosed with Osteitis Pubis, a joint inflammation.
“There was a hernia problem as well. I was told to have six months rest, given injections, operations to release my groin.
“I went to Ireland, England and Germany for medical opinions. Nothing worked. I’d come back, feel fine, then break down. By the end of 2009 I was ready to give up.
“I’d begun discussing other careers with my family. Then I went to see former Celtic physio Brian Scott.
“Brian looked at me and within five minutes was picking up things that hadn’t been found before. At the end of that 2009-10 season, I played two reserve games. The first was against Falkirk and Neil Lennon made me captain.
“I thought that was the corner turned. Every day that summer I trained and Motherwell and Dundee came in for me.
“I went to Dundee because they were going for promotion and I liked the challenge.
“I played the first two games then did my ankle ligaments. Six weeks later they went into administration and that was me – injured and jobless.
“Everything happens for a reason. I realise football isn’t the profession for me.
“Now I’m looking forward to starting a new job next month. A lot of the time I was playing for my dad. I was getting the opportunity he never got.
“My family are disappointed but are content that I’m happy, whether I’m cleaning the streets or being a footballer.”
Hopefully Charlie won’t be cleaning the streets and can enjoy life again.
He got closer to the dream than thousands who wanted to wear the hoops and fought bravely to make a career for himself.
Perhaps there may be a coaching role for him somewhere down the line but with having dealt with his own disappointments I’m sure he’d enjoy nothing better than watching his lookalike Neil Lennon displaying the SPL trophy at the end of the season.
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What a sad end to a very promising career. That boy played brilliantly for Celtic and Scotland in 2005-6. I especially remember the extra time Youth Cup victory over Hearts at Celtic Park. Best of luck to Charlie Grant for the future.
A real shame. I had high hopes for Charlie if he could have stayed fit. Sadly it seems that was too much. So yes, best of luck to him for the future.
Class act all the way. Gave 100% feel sorry for him because he was a good player. YNWA Charlie. Thanks for everything kid.
Smashing lad great attitude very sad day too lose a good talent like Charlie had all the best for the future Charlie godbless.
I to had to retire early from OP it just never held and its been 7 years now. however life goes on your young. i wish you the best to your new future.