With 13 players self-isolating Monday’s match against Hibs could have been a big opportunity for Celtic’s emerging players to make their mark.
Since the Quality Street Gang of Dalglish, McGrain, Macari, Connelly and Hay there has always been hope that another batch of players are coming through the ranks to make their mark.
Over the last 20 years the chances of players breaking through has been reduced with squads getting bloated to 25 first team players with five or more substitutes being named alongside the demise of the Reserve League.
Celtic TV had u-18 coach Darren O’Dea on duty on Monday night with the Dubliner emphasising that young players at Celtic have to be ready to take their opportunity at a moment’s notice.
Cameron Harper was given a place in the starting XI with Armstrong Oko Flex and Karamoko Dembele appearing during the second half.
The less than appealing reality is that all three of those teenagers will be out of contract in the summer and at this stage appear unlikely to be around next season. With a squad of 30 taken to Dubai they weren’t included in Neil Lennon’s plans.
A variety of reasons are involved but over the last 18 months Harper, Oko Flex and Dembele have been restricted to a couple of infrequent Glasgow Cup ties, bounce games and training sessions which won’t accelerate their development.
Covering Harper’s position, the Daily Record reports:
Celtic face a fight to keep Cameron Harper – unless they can convince him the door will remain open to Neil Lennon’s first team, writes Scott Burns. The American winger, who made his debut in Monday’s 1-1 draw with Hibs, is out of contract in the summer.
Harper, who is being linked with MLS clubs back home, has been frustrated with his lack of first-team chances. The 19-year-old is more likely to stay if he knows there is a top-team pathway.
On the positive side Stephen Welsh signed a new contract at the start of the season, Scott Robertson has been involved in 20 matches at Gillingham before being recalled while Kerr McInroy is a regular at Dunfermline as they push for a Championship promotion or Play Off place.
