The Tragedy of Celtic and their Failed Professional Pathway

Since Shaun Maloney returned to first team coaching duties with Celtic in January they have been without a Professional Pathway manager.

The former Hibs and Wigan boss replaced Darren O’Dea in that role, starting up on June 2025.

Maloney set up a Co-operation Deal with Ayr United that involved Jude Bonnar and Kyle Ure. More than a year down the line neither midfielder is any closer to the Celtic first team. Moving on to Crewe and Arbroath hardly represents progress.

Ben McPherson and Josh Clarke had very successful loan spells at Partick Thistle, neither returned to Celtic.

Francis Turley moved on loan to Ayr in February, playing in seven matches after another stint in the Lowland League.

The case of Turley highlights all that is wrong in whatever passes for a Professional Pathway at Celtic. On Saturday Turley made his debut for Dumbarton, coming off the bench for 25 minutes against Forfar.

In pre-season training in 2024 Brendan Rodgers was impressed by Turley.

THE CELTIC PATHWAY OF FRANCIS TURLEY

The young midfielder scored in a friendly against Queens Park and went with the first team to the USA in pre-season.

In the second SPFL match of the season Turley was given a five minute appearance, off the bench away to St Mirren.

Since then Turley has been left to rot in the graveyard that is the Lowland League.

In what universe is that progress?

From mixing and playing with the Celtic first team in the summer of 2024 Turley has ‘progressed’ to Dumbarton two years later.

Unfortunately there are no signs that Celtic have learned anything.

This season they have two Co-operation deals in place, with East Kilbride and Dumbarton.

With their huge ambitions and massive first team squad East Kilbride isn’t a club for Celtic to develop players.

In nine League One matches East Kilbride have started with 19 different players.

East Kilbride Football Club can today confirm a Co-operation Agreement with Scottish Premiership side, Celtic.

As part of this agreement, the previously announced, Rhys Dargie, alongside goalkeeper, Marcus Gill & midfielder, Liam Kennedy have joined the club.

#WelcomeToEK https://t.co/kLqQi5yMiX

— East Kilbride FC (@officialEKFC) September 3, 2026

THE FAILED EAST KILBRIDE PARTERSHIP

Dargie has played in two League One matches totalling 78 minutes playing time.

Kennedy has played 38 minutes for East Kilbride.

Gill has been on the bench for two East Kilbride matches. He has only played one match this season, for Celtic in the KDM Trophy against Hamilton Accies.

On Saturday East Kilbride won 3-0 away to East Fife. Dargie got 25 minutes as a sub, Kennedy was an unused squad with goalkeeper Gill not in the squad.

? #CelticFC has entered into a new co-operation agreement with League Two side Dumbarton.

More info ??

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 20, 2026

Aiden Rice played seven matches for Dumbarton before being injured on August 22. Dumbarton then turned to Ibrox for a replacement goalkeeper.

Owen Hartington has played 665 minutes over 11 matches, good experience for an 18-year-old.

Turney has also joined Dumbarton on loan, as a non-Scot his deal is not part of the Co-operation deal.

His Celtic pathway is going anywhere but towards Celtic first team football.

Which is all that you can expect from a club that doesn’t even bother replacing their Professional Pathway Manager. Much like the unfilled Head of Football Operations, Paul Tisdale or Chairman, Peter Lawwell.