After Scotland’s shoot-out victory over Serbia on Thursday night more than a few Celtic fans cast envious eyes towards Deccy Gallagher.
The Motherwell defender went toe-to-toe with Alexsandar Mitrovic and more than held his own against the bulky Fulham striker. Gallagher never shirked a challenge, even after being booked he never held back, revelling in the task against a player picking up 30 or 40 times his weekly wage.
It was the sort of display that Celtic fans had expected from Shane Duffy but the form of the on-loan defender has nose-dived since his move to Scotland.
Duffy was expected to be a warrior in the heart of the Celtic defence, a leader of men. The reality has been somewhat different, when Celtic return to action on Saturday against Hibs Duffy could be behind Kris Ajer, Chris Jullien and Nir Bitton for a place in defence.
It is natural to look towards Gallagher and think what he could do in a Celtic jersey but no-one was suggesting that after Celtic’s 4-1 win at Motherwell a week ago. Faced with Albian Ajeti, Tom Rogic and Ryan Christie, Gallagher found it much tougher than his head-to-head with Mitrovic in Belgrade.
If Gallagher replaced Duffy he’d find the same problems as the Irishman has. With two attack-minded full-backs Celtic’s central defence is left badly exposed- a very different prospect to facing Mitrovic with Kieran Tierney and Scott McTominay on either side.
Gallagher of course started off his professional career at Celtic. In the 2009/10 season he played every match as the u-19 side won the double of SPL title and SFA Youth Cup, playing initially with Grant Gallagher then Matty Hughes.
The following season he was on loan at Stranraer before being released to join Clyde. His career seemed to be on the up when he moved to Dundee but he left Dens Park over a contract dispute, taking a step down to Livingston which included a stint in jail before his career took off with a switch to Motherwell and full international recognition.
Describing his own game to Video Celts in 2010 he said:
The coaches here like me to express myself on the pitch. When people look at the size of me they don’t expect much, when they see that I can play a bit they get surprised! My first job is to be a defender but I like to show that I can play a bit as well.
Playing for Celtic is a massive thrill for me, I’ve always supported the club and when Tommy Burns spoke to my dad about joining Celtic I was delighted. It was an honour to sign and to pull on the jersey.
I never take anything for granted, every time I put on the jersey I know what it means and what’s expected of you. Being part of a league winning side has been a fantastic experience.”
Looking back at his 2010 Youth Cup winning team-mates illustrates the full range of careers that promising teenagers can incur.
Daniele Giordano– Joined Celtic in 2008 from US Lecce, had an outstanding game at Hampden. He played a few games on loan at Montrose the following season then returned to Italy to play for a few lower league clubs.
Richie Towell: Made one first team appearance as a substitute the following season in a 1-1 draw with Inverness Caley Thistle. Two loan spells at Hibs never quite worked out. He returned to Ireland where his career kicked on at Dundalk earning a move to Brighton. After loan spells at Rotherham he moved to Salford and is a regular in League Two
Matty Hughes: Captained Celtic’s youth side to back to back doubles but left the club in May 2011 to join Fleetwood Town under Micky Melon. He went out on loan from Fleetwood and enjoyed some success at Stallybridge Celtic.
Deccy Gallagher:
Jordan Lowdon: Played at left-back and also central midfield. In July 2010 he was voted Player of the Tournament at Eurofoot in Belgium which included a young Harry Kane in the Spurs squad. He left Celtic in 2011, playing at a number of lower league clubs such as Clyde, Stirling Albion and Elgin, in the summer he signed for Annan Athletic.
Callum Bagshaw: Excelled in the centre of the park, scrapping for everything and covering loads of ground. Has roamed around the non-league scene with spells at Formartine near Aberdeen and also alongside Hughes at Stallybridge Celtic. Now with Bury AFC.
Grant Gallagher; Joined Stranraer straight after the 2010 Cup Final and made around 200 appearances. He followed Stevie Wright to Dumbarton in 2015, after a spell at Airdrie he is back at Stranraer, helping them to beat Hamilton in midweek.
Stephen O’Donnell: (replaced Gallagher 89): Made a late substitute appearance at Hampden, the following season he was a regular at right-back. After spells at Partick Thistle and Luton he joined Kilmarnock with his career taking off under Steve Clarke. He is on a short term contract at Motherwell and expected to move to England in January.
Darren McCauley: Joined Celtic on a trial basis from Top of the Hill Celtic but was carrying an injury during his time in Glasgow before returning to join Derry City. In January 2019 he signed for Inverness Caley Thistle and had a spell in Australia with Essendon Royals.
Sean Fitzharris (replaced McCauley in 56 minutes) His winning goal at Hampden turned out to be the highlight of his career. He moved on to Morton and Clyde before signing for East Kilbride in 2014.
James Keatings: Looked to be as big a prospect as James Forrest but his progress was halted with a cruciate injury in April 2011. He left Celtic for Hamilton in 2013 where he helped them to promotion, in 2014 he moved to Hearts and repeated the trick before switching to Hibs and winning the Scottish Cup. He is now at Inverness Caley Thistle, via Dundee United and back at Hamilton.
Greig Spence: A real predator, rarely left the penalty box and scored the winning goal in the 2011 Youth Cup Final. A loan season at Hamilton didn’t do him much good but at Raith Rovers he became a Challenge Cup winning hero for Raith Rovers. He has bounced around the lower divisions with three spells at Alloa, now scoring for Stenhousemuir.
Filip Twardzik (replaced Spence 68 minutes): Looked like becoming a classic Number 10 but after a few first team outings a run of muscle injuries robbed him of almost two years. He rejoined Neil Lennon at Bolton before moving on to Slovania, in the summer he crossed the border to the Czech Republic and is playing for Karvina.
James Forrest: A few days after the Cup Final he scored on his first team debut, coming on as a substitute against Motherwell. He now has nine league winners’ medals alongside his Youth Cup winners medal.
SUBS
Andy Kennedy (goalkeeper): Left Celtic for Hamilton Accies in the summer of 2010 then turned out for a few Junior sides
Callum McGregor: An unused sub at Hampden he went on to play in three Youth Cup Finals as the age limit was raised, scoring a hat-trick in the 8-0 Final win over Queen of the South in the 2012 Final. Currently a Scotland team-mate of Gallagher and O’Donnell.
CLICK HERE for the 2010 SFA Youth Cup Final match report.