GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park, on September 01, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Celtic B completed their Lowland League campaign with a3-2 defeat away to East Stirling.
The defeat leaves Celtic in 10th place in the 18 team division with a record of Won 12, Drew 10 and Lost 12. The young hoops have a goal difference of 73-71, finishing the season on a run of six matches without a win.
East Stirling finished in bottom place. Today was their fifth win in 34 matches, their Goal difference was 48-94.
For the fifth season Celtic were competing in the Lowland League which was intended to bridge the gap between Academy and first team.
In that time Owen Moffat, Dane Murray and Colby Donovan are the only players to have stepped up to start a competitive match for the Celtic first team.
During the week there was speculation about the future of the Celtic B side.
THE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE CELTIC ACADEMY
Next season the Lowland League will merge with the West of Scotland League to create East and West Divisions.
Bizarrely by diluting the league the standard will improve.
Auchinleck Talbot, Pollok, Glenafton and other thriving Junior clubs will join Celtic in the Western Section.
These clubs are sustained by crowds of 1,000 plus, pay better wages than League Two and outperform Lowland League clubs in the Scottish Cup.
Enjoy your night Shire fans! ?
ESFC ?? 3 – 2 CFC ??#WeAreTheShire
— East Stirlingshire FC (@TheShireFC) April 18, 2026
Celtic have virtually given up on providing coverage of the B team.
Hardly a surprise when their record going into today’s match was a draw with Cowdenbeath, defeat to Linlithgow Rose, defeat to Albion Rovers, a draw with Bonnyrigg Rose and defeat to Tranant Juniors.
Celtic do have some younger players out on loan in the SPFL but it is unlikely that there are any future first team players among a squad that can go six matches without a win in the Lowland League.
In June 2023 Michael Nicholson claimed that the club’s ambitions were to be world class in everything they do.
The new look training facility at Barrowfield is possibly superior to Lennoxtown but the contents inside are clearly short of Nicholson’s intentions.
Playing home matches in plastic pitches against clubs such as Gretna 2008, Cumbernauld Colts and Gala Fairydean Rovers is only going to produce Lowland League players.
Shambles!
— (C)razyBaresi???????? ?? (@BaresiCrazy) April 18, 2026
