Listening to Jackson Irvine on the podcast from Glasgow is Green was a reminder of the fine line that separates players like Irvine from Kieran Tierney.
It requires skill and ability to be a contender to play for Celtic but circumstances also play a big part.
If Tyler Blackett hadn’t bombed would KT have got his chance?
Irvine found himself at Celtic during a time when the club had an abundance of central midfielders, an impressive display against Liverpool in the Dublin Decider earned him a loan move to Kilmarnock rather than a first team chance at Celtic.
Life after Celtic can be tough for a lot of players but there are plenty of examples of players who buckled down and created a decent career out of the public eye.
Scott Cuthbert falls into that category serving Swindon and Orient before moving on to Luton where he is joined by another former Celt in Stephen O’Donnell.
Those that have left Celtic early have rarely went on to have spectacular careers elsewhere but Irvine could buck the trend with a number of Premier League clubs tracking an internationalist who has hit double figures in The Championship.
Click on the panel below to flick through the former Celts enjoying a decent career in the game even if it didn’t quite happen for them at Celtic Park.
SCOTT FOX
Suffered through contract regulations as he left Celtic then found himself at Dundee as they went into liquidation.
He recovered his career at Partick Thistle and got himself into a couple of Scotland squads before moving to Ross County in July 2015.
Has been a big part of the club’s success and picked up a League Cup winners medal in 2015.
STEPHEN O’DONNELL
Another player who established himself at Partick Thistle after being picked up by Jackie McNamara.
He made over 100 appearances for the Jags then turned down some Scottish options to head to Luton Town in League Two.
He’s well on his way to a ton of appearances for the Hatters who are currently sitting in a play-off place as they attempt the long road back to the Championship after various financial issues a decade ago.
LEWIS TOSHNEY
Developed a strange passion for playing in blue and white with Kilmarnock, Ross County, Cowdenbeath and Raith Rovers but no in the tangerine of Dundee United.
He stayed at Celtic maybe a season too long but now appears to be catching up with lost time under Ray McKinnon who signed him for Raith Rovers as well as United.
At Celtic he was mainly used as a centre half but has proved adaptable playing at right-back or in central midfield.
SCOTT CUTHBERT
Missed out on his chance at Celtic due to a broken arm with Darren O’Dea getting an opportunity at the time.
He did well out on loan at St Mirren but with little prospect of progress at Celtic moved to Swindon and onto Orient racking up over 200 Football League appearances.
Like O’Donnell he is now at Luton Town and pushing for promotion to League One, a level he was familiar with while at Swindon and Orient.
DANNY LAFFERTY
After a loan spell at Ayr United he was released by Celtic and returned to Derry City.
Unlike many he bucked the trend and earned a deal with Burnley after 18 months in the League of Ireland.
Burnley’s progress under Sean Dyche has limited his chances but he’s currently a regular in the Sheffield United side after stints at Rotherham and Oldham
PAUL CADDIS
From Barcelona to Bury with some ‘memorable’ times under Paolo di Canio and folk hero status at Birmingham City.
Celtic picked up £300,000 when Caddis joined Swindon in 2010 where he became club caption under di Canio before falling out with the volatile former Celt.
At the end of the 2013/14 season he scored a stoppage time goal that prevented Birmingham from being relegated but was surprisingly freed by the club earlier this season with Bury stepping in with a fresh offer.
MICHAEL GARDYNE
The all time leading scorer for Ross County since they joined the Scottish League in 1994, achieved in three spells at the club with stints at Dundee United and Kilmarnock spicing things up.
He never really threatened to make the breakthrough at Celtic but had enough about him to succeed elsewhere although usually related to the Dingwall club.
In 32 appearances this season he has still to score a goal but is still an important part of Jim McIntyre’s plans.
JACKSON IRVINE
Has taken to life at Burton Albion as naturally as he did to playing for Ross County.
Injury and circumstances didn’t help him at Celtic while a loan stint at Kilmarnock stalled his development.
After moving to Burton for an undisclosed fee he has flourished in The Championship with 10 goals in 35 appearances, next season he is likely to be playing in the English Premier League
GRAHAM CAREY
Was named in the League Two Team of the Year with Plymouth pushing for automatic promotion.
He made one cameo appearance for Celtic away to Rapid Vienna in the Europa League but enjoyed successful loan spells at St Mirren and Huddersfield.
He’ll be 28 next month and feel that he could play at Championship level, making the most of his left peg.
OMAR BOGLE
Spent a season with Celtic but found his progress thwarted by Tony Watt.
He spent time in the English non-league scene before everything clicked into place at Grimsby scoring the goals that ended their exile from the Football League.
The goals continued in League Two but it looks like moving to Wigan in January wasn’t the wisest move with a return to League One on the cards
JAMES KEATINGS
Was cut down in his prime with the injury every player dreads- cruciate ligament.
It took him almost a year to get back playing again but the momentum had been lost.
He has excelled in The Championship for Hamilton and Hearts but hasn’t yet been given a chance in the top flight- maybe Neil Lennon can grant that wish next season.