Upon reading an article about what is ‘The Celtic Way’, which looked back at the home grown talents of Celtic park in the past, I went in search of Celtics finest more recent produce.
I’ve followed Celtic since I was born (apart from a small stint as a Manchester United fan, but I was 6 and I do live in Manchester) and I’ve seen the squad change dramatically over the last 10 or so years.
MF- Liam Miller (30, Perth Glory)
MF- Aiden McGeady (25, Spartak Moscow)
MF- James Forrest (19, Celtic)
FW- Shaun Maloney (28, Celtic)
FW- Cillian Sheridan (22, CSKA Sofia)
SUBS
GK- Michael McGovern (26, Ross County)
DF- Darren O’Dea (24, Celtic)
MF- Jamie Smith (30, Colorado Rapids)
MF- Mark Fotheringham (27, Out of Contract)
MF- Ross Wallace (26, Burnley)
FW- Mark Burchill (30, Enosis Neon)
FW- Craig Beattie (27, Swansea)
This squad could also be back up with St Mirren trio; Paul McGowan, James Goodwin and David Van Zanten, Sheffield United’s Michael Doyle and IFK Goteborg’s Teddy Bjarnason. Stewart Kerr is also only 36 but retired from playing in 2002 and now coaching at Motherwell.
I was surprised by how strong our first team would look with most of the players first team regulars and with international caps. I always rated David Marshall and the defenders in front of him would have played last season with the exception of Crainey with few left-backs able to compete with Emilio Izagui¡rre.
We lose a bit in midfield with Miller and Healy. Two players who arguably looked to be prospects for the future but haven’t really delivered. Healy suffered with injuries and has never really shown the form he once had, whereas Miller never really delivered once leaving Celtic.
There is one thing you can’t doubt with Maloney, and that is his talent. Injuries have also scuppered his career but I’m sure if Lennon keeps him at Celtic he will be an asset to the club.
I didn’t see enough of Cillian but from what I did see he was very similar to Craig Beattie, in the sense that he is a big player upfront who quite simply doesn’t score enough goals. Maloney, Beattie, Burchill and Sheridan have collectively only scored 160 goals in their 666 individual appearances.
The bench features such ‘Where are they now?’ players as Jamie Smith, Mark Fotherinham and Mark Burchill who all showed promise but never really reached the grade. Fotherinham up until recently was playing in Cyprus which is also where Burchill is playing now. Jamie Smith had lengthy spells and ADO Den Haag and Aberdeen but is now playing in MLS.
I’m unsure as to whether we would stand much chance in Europe with a squad like this but when compared with a Rangers squad built on similar principles it looks as if we would have the league sewn up.
Gk- Alan McGregor (29, Rangers)
DF- Alan Hutton (26, Tottenham)
DF- Danny Wilson (19, Liverpool)
DF-Steven Smith (25, Norwich City)
DF- Maurice Ross (30, Out of Contract)
MF- John Fleck (19, Rangers)
MF- Charlie Adam (25, Blackpool)
MF- Barry Ferguson (33, Birmingham City)
MF- Chris Burke (27, Birmingham City)
FW- Ross McCormack (24, Leeds United)
FW- Barjam Fetai (25, Lyngby)
SUBS
GK- Mark Brown (30, Hibs)
DF- Robert Malcolm (30, Cowdenbeath, freed)
MF-Dean Furman (22, Oldham)
MF- Barry Nicholson (32, Preston North End)
MF- Stephen Hughes (28, Norwich City)
FW- Steve MacLean (28, Oxford United)
FW- Darryl Duffy (27, Out of Contract)
I haven’t picked this Rangers squad to be purposefully weak; this is genuinely the sum of their merits over the same period of time as Celtics. I would say that it is a weaker side even if it does feature some higher profile exports, with Alan Hutton, Barry Ferguson, Danny Wilson and Charlie Adam all playing in the English Premier League last season. It’s interesting to note that they have not produced much in the way of strikers either.
It’s worth considering what Rangers youth system has produced as a barometer against our own achievements. Of course, Celtic´s youth system should arguably be producing more talent but as far as the two Glasgow clubs are concerned I’d say we have won this one.
Hate to admit it, but that Rangers team does look the stronger of the two to me.
Just as well we’ve the stronger squad these days where it matters! Now we just need to step up and prove it this season.
Also, if you extend it past 10 years slightly, Shay Given was a Celtic youth player, so I’d have him over Marshall.
Good piece m8. To compare those guys to our current squad, I think the majority would struggle to get a start though 🙂
In my opinion, Celtic should increase its scouting in Scotland and Ireland. Being a Scot and supporting Celtic, I am often perturbed about the lack of national identity, whether it be Scottish or Irish, that is in the current squad.
We have many players on the fringes of the first team with a Celt background, but only 4 or 5 first team regulars: Brown, Commons (new), Wilson, Maloney (when healthy), Forrest (arguable), and Mulgrew (no national call up). Irish players are mostly fringe players to include McCourt, McGinn, Murphy, Towell, Carey, O’Dea, and Stokes being the only truly first team player.
The Lisbon Lions, were all born within a 30-mile radius of Parkhead. Why can we not produce that again but from a larger pool from Scotland and Ireland? I understand the economy, culture, diet (to many fatties), but the fact remains, if England, France, and Spain can produce stars, there is no reason why Celtic cannot produce first team players.
The depth of our youth development seems extensive and youth recruitment in the last couple of years seems adequate. I feel the chances given to the youngsters whether Scots/Irish, Easter European, or other is limited at best due to the size of the first team pool. If we are going to scour the world for talent and buy young cheap players with good sell on value (prudent), what good does the youth team set up do?
It is far less expensive to grow a player than buy (maybe not in Common’s case, great bit of business) a player. To develop McGeady, did it cost 600,000 quid over 5 years. Maybe in the last 2 years due to his salary.
I would like to see 3 or 4 19 year old train with the first team at a minimum. The future will be brighter if we challenge the young bhoys earlier rather than seeing them move on with a whimper. Hail Hail.
Interesting stuff. Ties in with an article I submitted about the lack of opportunities for youngsters since the reserve league went and the lack of a B team option.
Sadly though, I aree with KevDP4L, I think the R*ngers team looks a bit stronger.
I’m sorry to say that I feel the Rangers lineup to be much stronger. Even though it pains me to say this; Adam, Fergusson, McGregor and Hutton all developed into SPL and even Premiership quality players. Burke and Stephen hughes aren’t bad either. Danny Wilson could yet turn into a good player.
On the Celtic side of things we’ve only really got Maloney and McGeady. Unfortunately Maloneys time has been destroyed with injuries.
Here is hoping that much of this is due to rangers youth set up being installed prior to us. Hopefully we can bring though some talent in the next 4-5 years.