Tonight at Celtic Park John Kennedy’s u-19 side face Marseilles in the Next Gen Series with the images and memories of a 5-1 defeat in Barcelona still painfully fresh.
Star of the show for the Nou Camp wannabes was young striker Dongou who showed good taste in scarf-wear after the match as well as style and a clinical eye for goal on the park.
Not even the most optimistic of Celtic supporters will be expecting any of Kennedy’s squad to lift the big cup but if a regular flow of players showing the ability of James Forrest is peppering the first team over the next five years the club will be back on course at developing their own players.
Before the opening Next Gen match in Marseilles Chris McCart, head of the Youth Academy, was asked about how success could be measured. His answer was simple and to the point: “Barcelona are the example, their first team is their Academy.”
Despite having no points to play for tonight a win against the French side would round off a very satisfactory campaign for Kennedy’s squad.
Without doubt the highlight of the campaign, to date, was the 4-2 win away to Manchester City in October. The Premiership side barely got a look in as Celtic set the pace with the five man midfield of John Herron, Callum McGregor, Filip Twardzik, Dylan McGeough and Paul George always on the front foot.
Whether that team plays again is unlikely but that night the youths set their own benchmark playing with the flair and imagination that can only be described as playing the Celtic way.
Hopefully in years to come Celtic will be able to look back with pride on the development of our own players with McGeough, Marcus Fraser, Joe Chalmers, George and Callum McGregor giving hoops fans the same pride that is so evident at Barcelona.
The legendary Carlos Puyol
Goalkeeper Victor Valdes
Nou Camp Academy Boys
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