GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 20: Celtic B team parade the Glasgow Cup and Youth Cup during a cinch Premiership match between Celtic and St Mirren at Celtic Park, on May 20, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Marcus Gill hasn’t created many headlines yet but the young Celt looks to be following in very good company within the Irish international camp.
Shay Given left Celtic uncapped to go on to have an amazing international career, picking up 134 international caps between 1996 and 2016.
That set a high benchmark for others to follow, currently Caoimhin Kelleher, brother of ex-Celt Fiacre, is in goals with the currently injured Gavin Bazuna providing real competition for the gloves.
Hope he is a keeper.
???— spamfritters (@spamfritters65) September 4, 2024
The highlight of Gill’s Celtic career to date was coming on as a half-time substitute in the dramatic 6-5 SFA Youth Cup Final win at Hampden in May 2023.
Joining the Celtic Academy at the age of eight he has excelled all the way through, now that he is a professional the stakes are raised through the crucial age 17-20 development years.
Gill has made two appearances in the Lowland League this season but at the age of 17 he has just helped Ireland’s u-19 side to advance in the European Championships with seven points taken from matches against Moldova, Azerbaijan and Iceland.
A goal difference of 6-1 will be pleasing for the young Celtic goalkeeper with the only goal conceded coming from a penalty in the 2-1 victory over Iceland.
Gill turned 17 in May, giving away two years says a lot about how he is viewed within the Ireland set up, as a goalkeeper you need natural ability and presence to make up that sort of age gap.
At club level the next stage open to Gill is to break into Celtic’s Lowland League side but hopefully Darren O’Dea is working on a plan to fast track Gill and any other promising 17-year-olds into senior football.
Going out on loan to a club in the SPFL First or Second Division would provide first team experience and exposure to the physicality of the senior game.
The finals of the U-19 European Championships will be held in Romania between June 13 and 26 involving the hosts and seven other nations.
CLICK HERE for details of the three qualifiers in Moldova.
Watch three penalty saves.
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