22 Jun 2021 12:17:34
If we lose Hjelde to Leeds that will be shocking for the youth promotion policy we all crave, things have to change!

I hope this is mere gossip and no actual substance to it, these young Bhoys need some first team experience in the upcoming friendlies so big Ange can have a look at what the future holds!

Some of the players we are being linked with along with fresh deals like Ralston are what you expect from Aberdeen, Hinstock etc, not Celtic!

We need to invest heavily in a scouting network, countries like Scandinavia and Eastern Europe where players are accessible for a cheaper rate than the inflated nations that do the same to us!

{Ed007's Note - It looks like Okoflex is away to West Ham as well.}


1.) 22 Jun 2021
22 Jun 2021 12:44:17
Okoflex is nothing special, the centre half is a good player.


2.) 22 Jun 2021
22 Jun 2021 12:44:22
Not bothering about Okoflex, he's not good enough. Worrying about young Hjelde.


3.) 22 Jun 2021
22 Jun 2021 13:20:08
I think we should do away with youth academy and go down the Brentford route.


4.) 22 Jun 2021
22 Jun 2021 14:14:18
Gar - definitely mate it’s been a right poor return if you look at the players that have done something from our youth

We have lost a good few recently and from those left I honestly can’t say they have remotely impressed. Can’t judge these guys playing youth football or on loan at small clubs.

Maybe the new boss will change that, good luck to him cause he definitely will need all the luck in the world.


5.) 22 Jun 2021
22 Jun 2021 16:39:50
My only argument toward this is our youth teams up to a certain age do tremendously well at prestige tournaments across Europe and in America, so for me the talent is clearly there, its how they are nurtured into the first team.
Players with big potential should be sent on loan as soon as they are possibly available to, to get game time, the colt team isn't really my thing, when you have lads 19/ 20 they aren't lads anymore they should be playing mens football no questions asked, if not then for me they aren't good enough, or move them on to one of the lower league sides with a set cheap 1st option fee, so that any making waves can be captured again, Andy Robertson didn't turn into a superstar over night, the model needs tweaked!

However of we had a bit of balls about us we would give these lads a chance like Ajax do, make them flourish, sell for big money, chuck the next one into the mix!

We've had far too many wage thieves at the club over the past, plenty without a sell on value, so why not adopt to what makes sense and adopt fast!

The top Celtic talent are snatched at an age where they should have been involved in the first team, been offered a decent length contract and allowed to establish themselves in the mix with the first team, even loaning out, but only after giving them a chance, confidence is crucial with young lads, and knowing they are wanted and believed in is massive.

I was very impressed with how big Ange spoke the other week about youth getting a chance, I hope the likes of Hjelde benefit from this!


6.) 22 Jun 2021
22 Jun 2021 17:54:04
I must admit that I haven't seen Leo Hjelde play but the talk is that he is exceptionally good for a 17 year old and he plays in a position where we are struggling. Yogi Hughes at Ross County was full of praise for him when he was there on loan last season.
If it's true that he's in talks with Leeds then I don't understand it, that is IF he is in talks with Leeds.
I tend not to believe too much of what's in the media because over the last number of months they have got next to nothing right about Celtic but that doesn't stop them writing stories to get attention. HH.


7.) 22 Jun 2021
22 Jun 2021 19:41:57
The biggest problem in Scotland is that we still seem to think players are kids until they get to about 22.
Every other league and in internationals if the are good enough they will play at 16/ 17/ 18.


8.) 22 Jun 2021
22 Jun 2021 20:22:53
Look what happens when you give your talent a chance. Bellingham, Reyna, Pedri, Fati, Halaand, mbappe, Wirtz, Rodrigo, Muokoko. That’s just off the top of my head, top top players that got chances at there club at 16/ 17.


9.) 22 Jun 2021
22 Jun 2021 20:31:53
Jonbhoy71 I agree mate and when they do get their chance, that delay stalls their development.

Personally I'm of the opinion young Dembele should of been given a run of games when Forrest was injured last season as he was the best natural RW we had.

Hjelde I can remember when he signed, but never knew anything about him untill hearing rave reviews when on loan at Ross County.


10.) 22 Jun 2021
22 Jun 2021 23:08:36
Dembele for me should of started far more games last season, christ we cried out width and every club wanted him 2 years ago!

Johnbhoy this is my point entirely, 16,17 and 18 they should be in, the lads who have had their chance and weren't good enough (Ralston as an example) shouldn't be getting a sniff he should be on loan getting game time to see if he could change our minds, and the likes of Bitton/ Rogic should've been moved on with the likes of Robertson getting more game time.


11.) 22 Jun 2021
22 Jun 2021 23:17:30
An Academy that has produced Forrest, Calmac and KT and that's it in 12 years. It's a feckin waste of time. We produce players for the Dundee's of this world. And Welsh isn't good enough either.