Neil Lennon has explained the reasons behind releasing four of Wednesday night’s SFA Youth Cup winning side.
Stephen O’Donnell, Matty Hughes, Keiran Brennan and Callum Bagshaw haven’t been offered new deals alongwith Jordan Lowdon.
None of the players are short on offers as the dream of playing for the Celtic first team closes.
Lennon currently has 25 players with first team experience to choose from with a further seven out on loan including internationalists Darren O’Dea, Jos Hooiveld and Morten Rasmussen.
The Celtic boss will be looking to trim his squad dramatically at the end of the season which played a big part in the decision not to offer new deals to five of the double winning u-19 squad.
“We are letting a few of them go,” Lennon admitted. “The reasoning behind that is we don’t want to stunt their development. I feel if a number of them were here for another year they might not get any chance of a game with the squad we have.
“It is very difficult. I know because I have been there myself. Manchester City let me go as a kid and, at that time, you think it is the end of the world.
“I feel we have as talented a first-team squad as anyone, so there are not too many opportunities. It is very hard telling a kid he has to leave, one of the hardest things you can do.
“They even knew for three or four weeks that they would be leaving and did not let it deter them from winning a league and cup double.”
The double winners will take a bow at half-time in tomorrow’s match against Dundee United before taking a lap of honour with their trophies.
Stevie Frail’s side complete their league campaign this morning against runners up Hearts at Lennoxtown, kick off 11am. You can follow the match on twitter.
CELTIC U-19’s CLINCH DOUBLE DOUBLE
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good luck for the future bhoys. hail hail
Some of you may just find your way back someday!